Many New Zealanders are still complacent about preparing for a natural disaster, and last weekend’s tsunami is an illustration of this says Tauranga MP Simon Bridges. “Despite the tsunami warning in the wake of the Chile earthquake, some New Zealanders were still not taking the situation seriously or observing the warning,” says Simon. “Tauranga as a coastal city is especially vulnerable to unpredictable natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami, as well as More...

Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power president Frances Denz says the organisation’s regional body will accept a rise in GST if an independent audit proves tax cuts and superannuation increases benefit New Zealand’s elderly. Grey Power has spoken out against plans to raise GST to 15 per cent, but Prime Minister John Key has moved to reassure the organisation by promising to raise income levels for superannuitants. Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power president Frances Denz. Frances More...

Tauranga electorate chairman for ACT, Ron Scott, says the introduction of the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill is a big step forward for youth in the Bay of Plenty. The Bill was drawn on Tuesday to be debated in Parliament and Ron says its purpose is to restore differing levels of minimum wages for youth workers in order to deal with the growing problem of youth unemployment. Tauranga electorate chairman for ACT Ron Scott. If passed into law the Bill will allow employers to hire 16 and 17 year More...

Labour leader Phil Goff took his fight against a possible rise in GST to the streets of Tauranga on Tuesday afternoon when he arrived in the city aboard the party’s specially designed GST bus. Aboard the bus are 10 other Labour Party MPs including Steve Chadwick, Moana Mackey and Darren Hughes. Phil Goff arrived in Tauranga in a specially designed bus he is travelling on during Labour’s nationwide campaign against a possible GST rise. See below for video interview with Phil More...

Labour leader Phil Goff is coming to Tauranga and he is keen to hear the city’s residents’ view of the government’s proposal to increase GST to 15 per cent. On Tuesday, Phil will roll in to town on his nationwide bus tour to investigate the issue, starting in Auckland on Sunday. Labour leader Phil Goff. While in Tauranga Phil will likely meet with social agency leaders who have expressed concern about the proposal – these include Marjorie Spicer from Tauranga Budget More...

The Bay of Plenty’s four elected MPs racked up close to $400,000 in expenses in 2009, according to figures released by Parliamentary Services and the Department of Internal Affairs. The expenses cover Wellington accommodation, accommodation outside of Wellington, air travel and surface travel. Three of the Bay’s four elected MPs Simon Bridges, Te Ururoa Flavell and Todd McClay. Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, who is also Minister of Health, had the highest bill with More...

The Labour Party’s list MP working in Tauranga supports making some changes to MMP but believes it would be a waste to completely throw the electoral system out. Jacinda Ardern made her comments as the government prepares the 14 year old electoral system for its first referendum since it was adopted in 1996. Jacinda Ardern, currently a Labour Party list MP working in Tauranga. The government has also announced that even if the public votes to retain Mixed Member Proportional at the More...

Tauranga’s MP Simon Bridges has been voted the second most sexiest politicians – behind his leader, PM John Key. In the Durex-sponsored poll to find New Zealand’s sexiest politicians, Simon is second to Prime Minister John Key – and well in front of third place getter Bill English. Tauranga is home to the country’s second sexiest male politician. Being second to his boss is a good place to be says Simon, plus John Key has “heaps more charisma, and More...

The man who replaced former Prime Minister Helen Clark in the Mount Albert electorate will be in Tauranga on Friday speaking about his experiences working for the United Nations. Former PM Helen Clark and her electorate replacement David Shearer. David Shearer worked as the UN’s special representative for reconstruction and development in Iraq before he was elected MP for Mount Albert in June last year when Helen Clark resigned from Parliament. He will speak specifically about his More...

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says the weight of public opinion in his electorate is in favour of a three strike sentencing regime for the worst repeat offenders. This analysis comes from a survey Simon conducted in Tauranga electorate in the middle of 2009. Of the 6000 household respondents, Simon says 86 per cent were in favour of the three strikes policy. Tauranga MP Smion Bridges. “I believe the overwhelming nature of the response, combined with the high number that responded made More...