Tom Rutherford

Tom Rutherford is the Member of Parliament for the Bay of Plenty and the National Party candidate for the new Mt Maunganui electorate.

Born and raised in the Bay, Tom has lived here most of his life. He went to school locally, plays sport in the community, and calls Papamoa home. That deep connection to the
region is what drives him, he wants the Bay of Plenty to be the best place in New Zealand to live, work, and raise a family.

Elected in 2023 as the youngest MP in Government, Tom brings a fresh perspective and a practical approach to Parliament. Before politics, he worked in local government and
policy, gaining experience in how decisions are made and how they affect everyday people.

Tom is focused on the issues that matter most to locals: easing the cost of living, reducing crime, fixing our roads (especially State Highway 29), and delivering better
infrastructure. He believes in listening first, working hard, and delivering results for the communities that raised him.

Outside of Parliament, Tom is a proud husband to Hannah, plays cricket for the Greerton Cricket Club, referees local rugby, umpires hockey, and recently spent four
years as a volunteer firefighter at the Mount Maunganui Fire Station.

Tom’s goal is simple: to make the Bay of Plenty safer, more affordable, and a place where families can thrive for generations to come.