diff --git a/merge.go b/merge.go
index cad5f5a..76566ed 100644
--- a/merge.go
+++ b/merge.go
@@ -186,6 +186,12 @@ func (rs *RepoStatus) setTag() bool {
 	rs.newversion.SetLabel(newver)
 	return true
 }
+// the newversion field goes through some sanity checking
+// to make sure it's greater than the existing tag and
+// valid according to golang -- it must be format 'v1.2.3'
+func (rs *RepoStatus) GetNewVersionTag() string {
+	return rs.newversion.String()
+}
 
 func (rs *RepoStatus) incrementRevision() {
 	lasttag := rs.lasttag.String()