I feel so sorry for our two Labour MPs, who I am sure went into Parliament with the very best of intentions to meet the needs of this region, but they are not making any progress that I can see with their Ministers. It is disastrous for this region.

With the bungling bureaucratic system we work under today, slowing everything down so much, one wonders if Wellington is actually capable of making any decision.

We have a port to protect access to; we have kiwifruit development exploding; we have rubbishy roads that are plain dangerous; we have buildings to get underway but the fast track process used for affordable housing has been wiped; we are the most expensive place in NZ to buy a home. Every citizen is entitled to aspire to own a home, or at least they were.

Our region is growing strongly and it behoves the Government, whichever party is in power, to play their part, and keep pace with the growth we have. We need to work together for the benefit of all of us.

M Murray-Benge, Tauranga