To all the dads, soon-to-be, wanting to be, and to the dads we've lost. Here's to you!
Also, happy Father's Day, to my dad - Thanks for always being in my corner. It means so much to me.
Our Government has announced that 101,000 Year 1-8 students will benefit from Learning Support Coordinators starting next year, as part of our $192 million Budget 2025 investment.
Schools in the Bay of Plenty will receive this support in phases.
2026: Kaimai School and Selwyn Ridge School
2027: Golden Sands School, Mt Maunganui Intermediate, Tahatai Coast School, Te Akau ki Pāpāmoa Primary School, Pyes Pā School, Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School and Welcome Bay School
2028: Arataki School, Maungatapu School, Mount Maunganui Primary School, Omanu School, Oropi School, Pāpāmoa Primary School, Suzanne Aubert Catholic School, Tauranga Waldorf School and Te Puna School
This means our schools can identify student needs earlier and get support to kids where it's needed most.
Bay of Plenty patients benefit as Government exceeds elective surgery targets
Bay of Plenty patients are among thousands of New Zealanders receiving faster access to life-changing surgery after the Government exceeded its first Elective Boost target, delivering more than 16,000 additional procedures.
The Government committed to delivering an extra 10,579 procedures before 30 June but achieved 16,005 procedures - 51.3 per cent more than planned.
"This is excellent news for Bay of Plenty families who have been waiting for essential surgeries. Every one of those procedures represents a New Zealander getting the care they needed faster, while also reducing pressure on elective surgery waitlists."
The most common procedures completed nationally included 638 hip surgeries, 751 knee surgeries, and 5,058 cataract surgeries, operations that dramatically improve quality of life for patients.
The success puts the Government on track to achieve the 2024/25 milestone of 63 per cent of patients receiving their elective treatment within four months, with a long-term goal of treating 95 per cent of patients within four months by 2030.
The next phase is underway, with a target of an additional 21,000 procedures over the next year.
"This is just the start of getting Kiwis the care they need, when they need it".
Calling it out!
Disappointed that Green MP Ricardo Menendez March has written a letter supporting an activist convicted of vandalising MP offices. Not the kind of behaviour that should be supported or endorsed, and I called it out in the House!
Tom's News
When you pick something off a shop shelf, there's a complex supply chain that got it there, just like there is when our exports reach customers around the world.
On Friday the Prime Minister was with me at Mainfreight's branch in Mt Maunganui. It's a key hub for importing into New Zealand and sending our goods to the world through the port.
Mainfreight is a Kiwi success story we can all be proud of. They're in 27 countries, employ nearly 11,000 people, and create local jobs here in the Bay of Plenty.
National is hustling to open new markets, sell more Kiwi products, and grow our economy at home.
It was great to see you all at the Papamoa Community Markets.
Great people, great stalls and great conversations - see you next month!
Have you tried Andy's custard squares from The Ginger Beard Man?
He just won the Bay's Best Custard Square and they're awesome!
You can find him at the Tauranga Farmers Market every Saturday and the Papamoa Community Market every Sunday.
Saying congrats to some incredible humans at the St John Western Bay of Plenty District Awards Ceremony. Always going above and beyond to help the local community.
Nice to be featured in the Papamoa Post talking about my first couple of years as your local Bay of Plenty MP.
Since being elected I've been focused on connecting with as many locals as possible, from community events to listening to your concerns and working to get answers.
Some highlights from this first term include securing the early opening of the Papamoa East Interchange eastbound off-ramp, advocating for better healthcare access including announcing Tauranga will gain a new 24/7 urgent healthcare service, and working on local issues.
The role comes with long days and plenty of travel between Wellington, home and across New Zealand, but representing our amazing community and working to address the issues that matter to you makes it all worthwhile.
Whether it's meeting with local groups, supporting community events, or tackling the big policy challenges, I'm here to listen and deliver for our community. Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me into this role - your support and feedback drives everything I do.
Important milestone reached for the Takitimu North Link project. NZTA has submitted applications under the Fast-track Approvals Act for Stage 2, which would extend the four-lane highway from Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.
This 7.1km extension will include overbridges for local traffic, a grade-separated interchange at SH2/Ōmokoroa Road, and ecological restoration areas. The existing SH2 will be retained as a local road.
With the Western Bay of Plenty projected to grow by 16,000 people over the next 20 years and traffic across the Wairoa Bridge expected to increase from 20,000 to over 30,000 daily by 2031, this infrastructure investment is critical for our region.
Stage 1 between Tauranga and Te Puna continues construction and is due for completion by 2028. Once both stages are complete, this will provide an alternative route to existing SH2 and help ease congestion through Te Puna, Whakamārama, Ōmokoroa, and Tauranga.
Pleased to see this vital transport infrastructure progressing for our growing Bay of Plenty region.
Tom's Events
Welcome Bay 'Drop-in Clinic' - Monday 15 September
Join me for Breakfast with Hon Scott Simpson
Coffee Catch Ups are back!
This Week in New Zealand History
'Flour-bomb test' ends Springbok tour
12 September 1981
All Black prop Gary Knight is felled by a flour bomb (NZ Herald/newspix.co.nz)
The third and deciding rugby test at Eden Park, Auckland, is best remembered for the flares and flour bombs dropped onto the playing field. Outside the ground, violence erupted on an unprecedented scale.
As was typical of this tour, the on-field action was overshadowed by events elsewhere. Fighting erupted in nearby streets and police pelted with rocks and missiles gave as good as they got. The protesters seemed to have been joined by opportunists keen to fight the police.
Security around the ground was the tightest of the tour, but Marx Jones and Grant Cole took their anti-tour protest to new heights in a hired Cessna aircraft. While protesters at the ground fired flares onto the playing field, Jones and Cole peppered Eden Park with flour bombs in an attempt to halt the game.
Against this surreal backdrop, the rugby continued. When All Black prop Gary Knight was felled by a flour bomb, South African captain Wynand Claassen asked if New Zealand had an air force. The All Blacks won 25-22 thanks to an injury-time penalty goal by Allan Hewson.
This Week in Parliament - Briefly
All Aboard: New electric trains for Lower North Island
The Government's $802.9 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines has now reached a major milestone, with Greater Wellington Regional Council signing a contract for a new fleet of 18 battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Digital health service delivering faster access to primary care
More than 21,000 consultations have already been delivered through the Government's new 24/7 digital health service launched in July, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Wellington's Watts Peninsula reserve confirmed
A public reserve will finally be established on the iconic Miramar Peninsula - Te Motu Kairangi in Wellington, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Land Information Minister Chris Penk have announced.
Future focused secondary school subjects
The Government's ensuring young New Zealanders are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, unveiling new future focused senior secondary school subjects.
Historically poor school buildings upgraded
The Government is continuing to deliver school infrastructure better, investing around $300 million into repairing and upgrading 33 schools facing some of the most challenging property conditions in the country.
Crown takes significant step forward with Ngāpuhi
The Crown has taken a significant step forward with Ngāpuhi as legislation that returns Kororipo Pā passes first reading in Parliament, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith says.
Ministry for Regulation receives international praise for new guidance to clipboard wielders
Regulation Minister David Seymour has announced the launch of the RegRoom will improve regulations and how they're enforced.
Delivering better social housing
Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are getting on with delivering the more than 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
