The Week That Was - 2 August 2024

Catching Up

Great to catch up with newly elected Papamoa Ward Councillor Steve Morris.

It’s vital for local and central government representatives to have strong working relationships, and I’m looking forward to working alongside Steve for the betterment of our community.

Too Good to Resist!

I was down at the Papamoa Community Market on Sunday, and I couldn’t say no to grabbing a Brownies coffee and some Raglan Kettle Korn for later.

The Papamoa Community Market is committed to giving back to the Papamoa Community through growth and sustainability. They achieve this by providing market sites to charitable organisations, also donating back a percentage of stallholder fees directly into the Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School community.

Upcoming Coffee Catch Ups

Saturday 10 August - Welcome Bay & Maungatapu

Friday 16 August - Papamoa East & Papamoa

Meeting the New Mayor

Sam and I enjoyed meeting with the new Mayor (and Olympic legend) Mahé Drysdale and are looking forward to working together constructively for the benefit of Tauranga. Yes, yes, they are both way taller than me!

Tax Relief Arrived!

The Government has delivered on its promise to New Zealanders with tax relief for hardworking Kiwis in effect from Wednesday July 31

This tax relief allows hard working Kiwi families to keep more of their hard-earned money to put towards important expenses such as their children, weekly groceries, and power bills.

Overall, 83 per cent of New Zealanders – 94 per cent of households - will benefit from the new tax package. In addition to the tax changes, the new Family Boost payment, which reimburses families for a portion of their early childhood education fees, up to $150 a fortnight, was launched on 1 July. Families with children in early childhood education can find out if they are eligible at IRD.govt.nz.

Personal income tax thresholds will rise from $14,000 to $15,600; from $48,000 to $53,500; and from $70,000 to $78,100. In addition, the in-work tax credit – which helps support low-to-middle income working families with children – has increased by up to $50 a fortnight.

Eligibility for the up to $20 per fortnight independent earner tax credit – for those who do not receive a benefit or Working for Families – has been extended to people earning up to $70,000 per year.

This means 727,000 households will benefit by at least $75 a fortnight, and 187,000 households will benefit by at least $100 a fortnight. On average, households will benefit by $60 a fortnight, and households with children by $78 a fortnight.

That’s real and meaningful cost of living relief. Every little bit counts right now, and this tax relief package demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting Kiwi families during challenging times.

Community wraps around Pāpāmoa house fire victim

Posted: 11:45am, 31 July 2024 | By Ayla Yeoman

A Givealittle page has been created for the community to support a Pāpāmoa woman who lost her home to a fire.

Emergency services were called to the house fire on Gravatt Rd on the afternoon of July 25.

Fire and emergency services safety investigator, Jon Rewi says the fire took out the whole house. “What’s happened is, it started in the garage, and it’s got into the roof void. It looks fine from the road. It’s not fine.”

“There is smoke damage throughout the rest of the property. There’s also heat damage to the neighbouring house.”

Jon explains that electrical fires can happen to anyone and warns everyone to check their smoke alarms are working and that they have an escape plan.

To donate, visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/flames-in-Pāpāmoa -we-need-your-help

Great to see our community coming together to support each other in times of crisis.

SUPERBLUES - Monday 12 August

Please RSVP to [email protected], by no later than Thursday 8 August as numbers are limited.

Please pay on the day or pre-pay to National Party BOP - ANZ 01 0486 0131093 00.

Please put name & SuperBlues on bank payment. $10pp or $15pp which includes 3 raffle tickets - or please bring cash on the day.

Or register online through Events Pronto https://www.eventspronto.co.nz/event5392  

Own a piece of Kiwiana!

Here’s your chance to own a piece of controversial Kiwiana – born out of New Zealand politics in the 1970's.

This portrait aptly named PIGGY BANK is currently in an exhibition being held at the Beehive until October.

(shown below in the Beehive exhibition space).

This piece has kindly been donated by the artist “The Bushman’s Son” to sell in a silent auction, but you need to be quick and register your interest with me as it is also marked for sale in Parliament.

Pāpāmoa East Interchange Construction Update

"The new Pāpāmoa East Interchange will provide a much-needed alternative way in and out of Pāpāmoa, improving connectivity with Tauranga city centre, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke and the wider Bay of Plenty," says the council statement.

"The new interchange is expected to open mid-2026. In this final phase of construction, you’ll start seeing the interchange take shape."

School property project in Bay of Plenty going ahead

The news that school property projects in Bay of Plenty will proceed is great for local families!

I’m thrilled that students in Bay of Plenty will have safe, warm and dry classrooms to help them receive a world-leading education.

The Papamoa College new school expansion project will proceed with changes, with construction already underway.

The Ministry of Education has completed its Value for Money reviews of 352 Ministry-led projects, 252 of which will proceed, either as planned or with changes.

The Ministry is prioritising redevelopments, roll growth and new school projects so funding is directed to where it is most needed. This aims to address immediate capacity and overcrowding risks to alleviate pressure on school networks.

In Budget 24 we made a $1.5 billion investment over four years into school property, with $400 million going into school property growth.

I look forward to seeing construction completed at Papamoa College with the support of this Budget 2024 funding.

“Together with the other investments we are making in education, this demonstrates the Government’s commitment to lifting student achievement and closing the equity gap.”

Alcohol Amendment Bill Passed

On Wednesday night, we passed Stuart Smith's Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Winery Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill.

The passing of this bill allows winery cellar doors to charge visitors for the samples of their own wine (which they can’t do at present) and adds an off-licence category for wineries holding an on-licence removing red tape from the industry.

Ultimately, this bill seeks to adjust existing regulations to better accommodate the evolving winery cellar door experiences in New Zealand, facilitating a more sustainable business model while maintaining responsible consumption practices.

New Zealand's wine industry has evolved into a significant economic sector and an integral part of the country's tourism offering.

Get In Touch – Bay of Plenty Electorate Office

3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa or phone on 07 542 0505

This week at a glance:

NZ advances relationship with Southeast Asia

High-level meetings in Laos this week have emphasised the important role the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays in ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says

AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

Attorney-General Judith Collins reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care.

New satellite technology will lead to fewer flight cancellations

New satellite technology that significantly improves GPS accuracy, has reached an important milestone, with two 11-metre satellite dishes switched on by Land Information Minister Chris Penk.

Regulating online casinos approach

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to a high-level approach to regulating online casinos designed to minimise harm, support tax collection, and provide consumer protections to New Zealanders.

Government introduces roadside drug testing legislation

The Government has introduced legislation that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. 

Overly prescriptive CCCFA regulations scrapped

Strict loan affordability requirements and arduous, overly prescriptive checks are a thing of the past, say Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop.

Study underway to secure national fuel resilience

A study of New Zealand’s fuel security, including investigating reopening the Marsden Point refinery, will soon get underway as the Coalition Government seeks to beef up the country’s resilience, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

New Zealand to welcome President of India

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu, will make a State visit to New Zealand next week.

NZ and Indonesia launch ambitious plan of action

New Zealand and Indonesia have launched an ambitious Plan of Action to guide bilateral cooperation over the next five years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. 

Vanuatu PM visits New Zealand for bilateral talks

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will meet next week for talks on labour mobility, climate change, advancing Pacific regionalism and other areas of mutual interest.

Government restores local decision-making

The Government has delivered upon one of its key promises to New Zealanders by restoring the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

Promised cost of living relief is here

The Government has delivered on its promise to New Zealanders with tax relief for hardworking Kiwis in effect from Weds, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Health Minister welcomes appointment of regional leaders  

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has welcomed the appointment of four highly experienced health leaders to roles as regional Deputy Chief Executives at Health New Zealand. 

Applications for new innovation fund open

Applications are open for the Government’s first round of the new $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has announced.

Regulatory review into agricultural and horticultural products now underway

Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have confirmed the regulatory review into the approval path for agricultural and horticultural products is now underway, with the terms of reference approved.

Thousands more young people to get job coaching

A significant investment by the coalition Government in young job seekers will see an extra 2100 placed into community-led programmes that provide job coaches and other support to give them a better future.

Transparent investment reporting to drive fiscal discipline

The Government has released its first Quarterly Investment Report as part of the drive to deliver better value for money from government expenditure and restore fiscal discipline, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Finance and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.

 Antarctica New Zealand Board appointment

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appointed Keiran Horne to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand.

Vocational education reform consultation begins

The Government is consulting on reforms to replace the failed Te Pūkenga experiment with a financially sustainable, regionally responsive vocational education and training system that delivers the skills and training New Zealand needs, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says.

Govt supports 132 events to drive regional tourism

A total of 132 events are set to receive a funding boost to help attract more New Zealanders to the regions throughout the year and grow the economy, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey announced this week.

New chair appointed to Landcorp Farming

John Rae has been appointed chair of Landcorp Farming Limited (Pāmu), State Owned Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

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I’m a Local, Just Like You!

Thanks,
Tom

Tom Rutherford
MP for Bay of Plenty

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