Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Last weekend was a magic one in the Bay, with some first class events that were as good as anything you could see anywhere.

On Saturday night, my wife and I loved going to hear Creedence Clearwater Revisited at Mills Reef Winery. Before the concert I wouldn't have said I was a big fan, but I was amazed how I knew and loved every song. It was a terrific evening repeated before thousands on Sunday night as well.

On Sunday, we went to the Tauranga City Airshow. I've been to a few similar events during the years and having talked to quite a few who know about these things, it's clear this is now the best Airshow in the North Island and arguably in all of our country.

The people who organised these events spent hundreds of hours doing so and deserve our city's gratitude – because not only do they provide great entertainment for all who attend, but by attracting people into our city, they also provide a clear economic dividend. In particular, I want to acknowledge Craig Wilson and Mills Reef for the concert and David Love, Andrew Gormlie, Classic Flyers NZ and Tauranga Te Papa Rotarians for the Airshow.

A Parliamentary term previewed

During the last three years, National has proven we can work with our partners to deliver a strong and stable government in difficult times – including a global economic crisis and the destructive earthquakes in Canterbury.

The next three years will be about rebuilding and strengthening New Zealand. We are in a good position to do that compared to a lot of other nations.

Last week, Prime Minister John Key outlined the four key priorities the National-led government will focus on during our second term in office.

Our first priority is to responsibly manage the government's finances. In these uncertain global times, the state of the country's finances is all-important.

Our second priority is to build a more competitive and productive economy. That means an export-focused economy, built on innovation and selling more of what the world wants, at a competitive price.

Our third priority is to deliver better public services to New Zealanders, within the tight budget the government is operating under.

And our final priority is to rebuild Christchurch, our second-biggest city.

National's focus on responsibly managing the government finances includes a commitment to return to surplus in 2014/15, which we are on track to achieve.

During the next two years, our economy is forecast to grow more strongly than the Eurozone, Britain, Japan, the United States, and Canada – so we are in relatively good shape. It is important, however, that we get back to surplus and make our economy more competitive.

The National-led government will be implementing the 120-point economic action plan released during the election campaign.

Delivering better public services means we will be implementing major welfare reforms, focusing on raising achievement across the education sector, improving health services and introducing legislation to strengthen sentencing, parole and bail laws.

We are also taking a hard look at the way public services are organised across the board. The state sector could do much better at achieving results and at delivering value for money.

This year, we will be getting on with rebuilding Christchurch. We are totally committed to the reconstruction of Canterbury and we're determined to see that momentum is maintained.

It will be another busy and challenging three years, but National is confident about New Zealand's prospects.