Tom Rutherford

Tom Rutherford - The week that was - 30 August

03 Sep 2024

The Week That Was - 30 August 2024

Fast Tracking!

This is the breakdown of the 384 projects that have applied to be included in the government’s Fast Track one stop shop consenting and permitting regime.

There is huge enthusiasm for the new fast track law.

Local Business at its Best

Meet Brian and Loretta (if you haven’t already) who are the owners of Mitre 10 Papamoa. Almost 20 years strong now. They’re being keeping us stocked up on hardware and garden supplies and know the community inside and out. That’s what we love to see, by locals for locals.

Papamoa Community Market this Sunday – I’ll be there!

Come on down to Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School and spend a great morning at the Pāpāmoa Community Market. It’s an all-weather market, rain, hail or shine –running every Sunday morning. Don’t worry, if it is raining, there are indoor facilities.

The Pāpāmoa Community Market will change your Sunday morning – come together with family, friends, and community to enjoy and support local businesses.

Keeping a promise to Pippa

You'll remember I met Pippa a couple of weeks ago who had written a speech she wanted to share with the Prime Minister.

Her speech was about dyslexia and the inequity between those kids who get the right assessments and support and those who don't.

I've delivered Pippa's speech to the Prime Minister, and he's written a response to her, which I will pass on to Pippa next week.

Upcoming Coffee Catch Ups

Monday 2 September - Te Puna

Upcoming Residents Clinics

Looking forward to catching up with residents of Pacific Coast Village and Ocean Shores Avida soon. See below for dates and details.

If you'd like me to come along to your village, please reach out to my office. I'd love to meet you there.

Pharmac Announcement

On Thursday, Pharmac announced that it will fund insulin pumps, consumables, and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for all type one diabetics in New Zealand from the 1^st of October 2024.

Pharmac’s decision to fund insulin pumps and CGM’s is a life-changing move that will make a real difference to thousands of New Zealanders who live with type one diabetes.

When this kicks in on the 1^st of October 2024, Pharmac expects around 12,000 Kiwis with type one diabetes will receive CGMs in the first year of funding, increasing to over 18,000 after five years. Just under 5,000 people currently use insulin pumps, and they expect this to increase to nearly 10,000 over five years.

Funding this technology will enable those living with type one diabetes in New Zealand to receive world-class treatment options to manage their disease. This move will directly reduce complications and comorbidities for type one diabetics and alleviate pressure on our health system.

Pharmac is currently working on the roll out of these devices, including providing support to new and existing users of pumps and CGMs.

This Day in our History – 30 August 1926

SuperBlues at Orewa

Thanks to Mark Mitchell for the invitation to speak at his SuperBlues today in Orewa. A great location and a great audience!

Mark Mitchell is the Minister of Corrections, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, and Minister of Police and MP for Whangaparaoa.

This week at a glance:

Huge interest in one-stop shop Fast-Track Bill

Cabinet has agreed to recommend a suite of sensible changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.

New weather radar for Tonga a lifesaver

A new weather radar for Tonga will help save lives through improved forecasting and early warnings for communities during hazardous weather events, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Prime Minister to visit Malaysia and Korea

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea (Korea) next week, accompanied by a senior business delegation.

Urgent action taken to bolster energy security

Cabinet has moved quickly to approve a raft of actions to address the serious risk to New Zealand’s energy security and affordability, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.

Next steps on Electrifying New Zealand

The Government will progress a series of reforms to make it easier and cheaper to consent, build and maintain renewable electricity generation as well as electricity distribution and transmission, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simeon Brown.

Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says the Government has finalised the detailed terms of reference for Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons.

A ‘Beneficiaries-First’ approach to employment

New targets will see a greater proportion of MSD’s spending on employment programmes go towards supporting people on Jobseeker benefits, rather than non-beneficiaries.

National Infrastructure Pipeline worth $147.6 billion

The latest snapshot report from New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows that the value of infrastructure projects in the National Infrastructure Pipeline totaled $147.6 billion in June, an increase of more than 20% since March, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.

Local Water Done Well bill passes

Parliament’s passing of legislation setting out the Government’s Local Water Done Well preliminary arrangements for new water services has been welcomed by Local Government Minister Simeon Brown.

Red tape cut for marine farm consents

The aquaculture industry, exports and the economy, will benefit from the passing of a bill today that will extend existing coastal permits for marine farms by 20 years, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

Action plan to get more people into employment

Supporting more people into work so they can lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Employment Action Plan.

Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force appointed

Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced Commodore Garin Golding, Brigadier Rose King and Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb as the chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force respectively.

New Zealand, Tonga renew Partnership

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku met today in the margins of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga.

New radio network for first responders

The Coalition Government today welcomed the launch of a new national radio network that will provide emergency responders with the modern, resilient, secure radio communications technology they need, says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden.

Next steps to clean-up the East Coast

Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced the establishment of the ‘Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group’ to expedite wood clean-up in Tairāwhiti and help implement best practice for forestry.

Scope of Significant Natural Areas review revealed

The Government has decided the scope of a review that will consider how significant natural areas (SNAs) should be identified, assessed and managed, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today.

Mental health service to support over 130 schools

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says the rollout of mental health support to primary and intermediate school pupils in Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti regions will continue.

New Zealand, China hold high-level climate change talks

Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu is departing New Zealand today after the Fifth Ministerial Climate Change Dialogue between New Zealand and China, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.

Revenue Action Plan to support delivering infrastructure sooner

The Government has announced a Revenue Action Plan to enable a clear infrastructure pipeline that delivers the critical transport infrastructure our country needs sooner, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

New board appointments for RNZ & TVNZ

Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith is announcing new appointments to the RNZ and TVNZ Boards. “I am delighted to appoint Brent Impey, Gracie Mackinlay and Mads Moller to the RNZ Board, and John Fellet to the TVNZ Board,” says Mr Goldsmith.

Sport & Rec Minister to attend Paralympics

Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Paris to support the New Zealand Paralympic Team during the 2024 Paralympic Games – the first time a New Zealand Sport & Recreation Minister has ever attended a Paralympics.

Government to update parking penalties

The Government will be cracking down on people who misuse car parks for disabled people, ensuring towage fees do not leave tow-truck operators out of pocket, and adjusting parking fines for inflation, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say.

Minister appoints new chair and members to Water Services Authority

Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown has announced new appointments to the Board of the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority), including a new chair, and has reappointed two members of the Authority’s Māori Advisory Group for a further three-year term.

Business confidence rises under new economic management

ANZ Business Outlook shows businesses are feeling a whole lot better about the future, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says.

Bill to strengthen the economy passes first reading

The Government continues to introduce measures that will strengthen the economy and ensure New Zealand businesses and individuals have a more secure future, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.

Share the news!

Please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who might like to stay in touch. We all need to stay connected with the community and there's no time like the present!

If a friend or family member has sent you this newsletter and you would like to subscribe to future correspondence, please hit the “subscribe here” button below and fill out the "Get Updates" form at the bottom of my webpage.

Subscribe to receive my updates here.

If there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 07 542 0505 or email me at [email protected]

I’m a Local, Just Like You!

Thanks,
Tom