August Update from Parliament and Tauranga
August was a busy month in Parliament, with reforms focused on reducing costs, improving public services, supporting families, strengthening education, and growing the economy. In Tauranga it feels like Spring has arrived early with colourful blossoms on display and sunny days banishing the Winter chills. I’ve enjoyed door knocking in many different neighbourhoods, listening to the feedback, suggestions and support from people throughout the electorate.
Mount Maunganui Inquiry
Last month the first of four independent reviews into January’s tragedy at Mount Maunganui was released. Hon Paul Davison has revealed that the loss of six innocent people were entirely preventable. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. It is a confronting report detailing years of negligence and inaction by Tauranga City Council. We still await the reviews currently being carried out by Police, Worksafe and the government. Personally, I am becoming increasingly concerned by the lack of accountability from the CEO of Tauranga City Council and the lack of subsequent action by the elected members in addressing this major concern. For everyone involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, this remains a troubling time, having to relive the horrors of January’s landslides at Mount Maunganui and hear that it was more than just a weather event; that it was an avoidable tragedy. View the media interview with Tom Rutherford and I here.
Local Government
My former caucus colleague Simon O’Connor, who held the Tamaki electorate for National, interviewed me for RCR and you can catch our chat here: https://rcr.media/episodes/sam-uffindell-national-mp-for-tauranga-council-under-fire-over-landslide. During the interview we discussed the Mount Maunganui tragedy as well as the Tauranga Marina Precinct debacle.
Tauranga ratepayers should be very concerned about this shonky deal. To hear more, check out this interview I had with Sean Plunket on The Platform. Sam Uffindell Calls Out Dodgy Deal In Tauranga Marina. Non-elected commissioners, appointed by Labour, agreed to sell off this vital site for roughly $14 million, significantly below independent valuations of $33 million. Even worse, the council effectively acted as the bank by providing unsecured vendor financing to the private buyer. They also pledged up to $29.2 million for wharf upgrades, putting the ratepayer close to $50 million in the hole.
To top it off, they sold it off-market, following an ‘unsolicited’ bid and vendor-financed the purchaser into it. All under the same Tauranga City Council establishment referred to earlier in this newsletter. This arrangement pushes out long-standing commercial marine and fishing operators who contribute over $100 million to our local economy, swapping them out in favour of speculative luxury yacht servicing. Negotiated behind closed doors without an open tender or proper community consultation, this deeply flawed transaction has rightly drawn High Court challenges and demands for an Auditor-General investigation. I will keep fighting to protect our community's interests.
Keeping Rates Affordable
The Government has introduced legislation to cap council rates increases within an initial target range of 2 to 4 per cent. The aim is to help keep rates affordable while ensuring councils focus on core services such as roads, rubbish collection and essential infrastructure.
I spoke in Parliament on Kaikoura MP and Chief Government Whip Stuart Smith’s Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill – https://youtube.com/shorts/AIhfTj65lxs that would return power to elected council members. This is a great improvement to local government as it restores democratic accountability, improves transparency and gives ratepayers greater oversight of council operations.
Wellington News
Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health
Gathered at Parliament in Wellington to sign a memorandum of understanding and present a unified case for public investment and structural reform. Sector leaders outlined a proposal for an annual $102 million investment to fund over 600,000 public eye examinations alongside system-wide reforms including standardised access criteria and expanded community care pathways. Co-hosted by parliamentarians and featuring free vision checks for nearly 100 MPs and staff, the gathering highlighted the urgency of early detection to secure long-term political commitment for eye health nationwide.
The Movember Team was in Parliament. They do amazing work on men’s health issues, including mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate cancer. [pic] I am a huge supporter. Stay in touch with your mates and look after each other.
Fairer Parent Visa Process
Families seeking to bring parents to New Zealand will benefit from a more predictable Parent Resident Visa system. 90% of applications will now be selected through a chronological queue rather than a ballot, while Expressions of Interest will no longer expire after two years.
Education Updates
More Career Pathways for Students
Nine new industry-led subjects will be introduced for Years 12 and 13 from 2029, including Engineering Technology, Health Services and Care, Construction and Built Environment, Tourism, and Food and Fibre Systems. The subjects are designed to create stronger pathways into university, trades, training and employment.
Calmer Classrooms
An additional $31.3 million is being invested to modify more than 600 classrooms across New Zealand. The changes will help schools move away from open-plan learning environments and create calmer, more focused spaces for students and teachers. This includes six schools in Tauranga: Tauranga Primary School, Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga Girls’ College, Pillans School, Bellevue School, and Taumata School.
More Support for Children with Additional Needs
The Early Intervention Specialist Service is being expanded, giving more young children with high and complex developmental needs access to specialist support earlier. The expansion will increase capacity and provide greater choice for families.
Updated School Curriculum
New Science and Social Sciences curricula for Years 0-10 have been released, providing clearer expectations about what students learn at each year level. Tauranga’s own House of Science is being rolled out into all primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand. They have amazing science kits to get even the most reluctant showing interest. The refreshed curriculum strengthens areas such as civics, financial education, scientific inquiry and critical thinking.
The National Party has announced its "Back Pocket Boost for Graduates" policy, designed to help young professionals with student loans keep more of their earnings. Starting 1 April 2027, the compulsory student loan repayment rate will decrease from 12% to 10% for graduates living in New Zealand, offering financial relief such as an extra $1,000 annually for accountants on $75,000 or $1,500 for junior doctors on $100,000. To offset the policy's cost alongside Budget 2027 allowances, the government plans to enforce stricter measures on overseas borrowers in default, including an extra 1% annual interest penalty, restricted KiwiSaver withdrawals, and lower thresholds for arrest warrants.
Health Updates
Funded Flu Vaccines for More Children
From April 2027, every child aged between six months and five years will be eligible for a funded flu vaccination. More than 260,000 children are expected to benefit, helping reduce winter illness and pressure on the health system.
Faster Endometriosis Diagnosis
New clinical guidelines will allow GPs to diagnose and begin treating endometriosis based on symptoms, examination and family history, reducing the long delays many women currently face before receiving diagnosis and care.
Improving Disability Support Services
Changes have been made to the Disability Support Services Bill following feedback from the disability community. The Bill creates a clear legal framework for support services while maintaining existing eligibility and entitlements. It also strengthens the voice of disabled people in decision-making and provides greater clarity for families.
Reducing Smoking Harm
Tobacco sales have continued to decline, falling by more than 20 per cent last year. The Government remains focused on preventing youth smoking, tackling illegal tobacco sales and supporting smokers who want to quit.
Economic Growth
Building New Zealand's Infrastructure
New Zealand's infrastructure pipeline has grown to $290 billion, with major projects planned or underway across roads, healthcare, schools, water infrastructure and other essential services.
Rural Sector Updates
The Government is cutting red tape around agricultural drones, replacing lengthy certification requirements for lower-risk operations with a simpler notification process. The changes are expected to make agricultural spraying faster, cheaper and more efficient while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
A new programme led by Stats NZ and the Office for Rural Communities will improve rural data and analysis, helping inform better decisions on infrastructure, transport, education and employment.
Tourism Recovery Continues
International visitor numbers continue to climb, reaching 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in June. Growth from Australia and China is helping support tourism businesses and regional economies across New Zealand.
Making Fast-track Work Better
Changes are being made to ensure councils can recover infrastructure costs associated with Fast-track developments while still supporting the accelerated delivery of housing and major projects.
National has outlined Budget Responsibility Rules focused on returning to surplus by 2028/29, reducing debt below 40 per cent of GDP over time, and keeping taxes low through disciplined government spending.
Energy
New consumer protections announced by Energy Minister Simeon Brown will help households save money and take greater control of their power costs, including annual checks to ensure customers are on the best plan, fairer billing, capped back-billing, and improved off-peak and solar pricing. To compare electricity providers and find the best deal for your household, visit Billy, with power companies required to comply with the new protections by 1 April next year.
Making Solar Easier
The Government has agreed to reforms that will make solar power easier and cheaper to install. Proposed changes include legalising plug-in solar systems, simplifying approvals and reducing compliance costs for households and businesses.
Expanding EV Charging
A further $21 million in zero-interest loans will help accelerate the rollout of public EV chargers across New Zealand as part of the goal of reaching 10,000 public charging points by 2030.
Strengthening Law and Order
New legislation has enhanced citizens' arrest powers, strengthened protections for retailers, created new offences for assaults on first responders, and introduced tougher measures against retail crime and people trafficking.
Out and About
Onam is the national festival of Kerala and Malayalis across the globe celebrate it.
It was a pleasure to celebrate our diverse communities across Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.
Tom Rutherford and I met with the team at Seniors Lifestyle Specialists to hear about how they help seniors and their families make important life decisions with confidence. Whether it's supporting people through a move, connecting with local community organisations, or simply taking the time to listen, SLS are helping ensure seniors feel valued and supported. Thank you for your commitment to our elderly community and for sharing the challenges and opportunities facing older people in Tauranga.
Accessible Properties, with Idea Services, opened 9 new accessible homes in Gate Pa. These one-bedroom units were built on a section formerly occupied by just one house, and were finished on schedule and under budget, thanks to the engagement and cooperation of stakeholders and community agencies. Intellectually disabled adults will soon be able to live safely and comfortably in their comfortable new Tauranga homes, complete with vege gardens already planted.
Steps, a well-loved cat who lives near Tauranga Hospital, has his own hospital ID as he is a regular visitor to the ED and other areas of the hospital grounds, bringing comfort to visitors and patients alike. Concern was felt nation-wide when he and his “office” went missing but happily he found his way to safety and has now got an upgraded place to doze between shifts near the steps on Clarke St.
Tauranga mental health, addiction, and disability support service Turning Point Trust is celebrating three decades of community care based at the Historic Village. Established in 1996, the non-clinical trust supports individuals through tailored initiatives, peer support and advocacy. Turning Point continues to prioritise participant-led recovery as it prepares to merge with Auckland organisation Ember Korowai Takitini to secure its long-term future while retaining its local identity.
I visited my friend and caucus colleague David MacLeod in New Plymouth where I saw the city’s incredible new hospital - makes me look forward even more to the Tauranga Hospital redevelopment! We also visited a biotech incubator Taranaki Applied Innovation Centre and enjoyed some excellent Taranaki coffee.
Ethnic Communities Invitation
If you haven't already booked, don't leave it too late to RSVP for next Wednesday's Ethnic Communities function with Hon Mark Mitchell at the Tauranga Club. It's a great chance to connect with the Minister for Ethnic Communities. Mark has many portfolios, including Sport and Recreation, and he's excited to be in Tauranga for the annual Zespri AIMS Games; we're thrilled he's agreed to stay on to meet Tauranga constituents that evening.
If you need assistance with a government agency or would like help navigating any government service, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
I look forward to seeing you out and about over the coming weeks. If you don't already follow my socials, you may like to get my updates on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok.
I hold regular National Party member events each month and, if you are a member, you’ll automatically be invited to all events. Non-members can still come - just reply to this email to book your attendance or find out more. Even better, join up here: Become a Member | National Party.
As always, thank you to all our members and volunteers for your support. We couldn't do this without you!
