Simon Bridges MP for Tauranga

The results for Tauranga MP Simon Bridges’ annual electorate survey are now in. Over 5,700 households responded.

“They provide an interesting snapshot on the mood of Tauranga,” says Mr Bridges.

High tea with your MP? Primary School visits and National’s Economic Plan to Create Jobs and Boost Incomes...

Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga encourages you to donate to the Cancer Society in exchange for a Daffodil on Friday 27 August.

World Expo – Shanghai, China
 
At the end of July I was privileged to attend the Shanghai World Expo with a large Bay of Plenty delegation made up of over 50 business people, educationalists and other civic leaders such as MP Todd McClay, Mayor Stuart Crosby, EBOP Chair John Cronin, and Councillor Bill Faulkner. Much was achieved and I enjoyed a busy and fascinating trip to a remarkable country.

“I’m inclined to vote for an increase to the alcohol purchase age when MPs get a conscience vote on this” says local MP Simon Bridges.

“My clear inclination is to vote for either a change to a split age of 18 for on-licence alcohol sales and 20 for off-licences or for a complete increase to 20 years.”

Greerton’s Got Talent! and Improving Employment Law...

“The announcement of six new courtrooms and four new conference rooms for Tauranga by Justice Minister Simon Power is great news for our city,” says Simon Bridges MP.

“Tauranga is a fast growing city and as we continue to develop increased courtroom capacity becomes more and more important

Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Rotorua MP Todd McClay welcome news that construction of the Tauranga Eastern Link road will start up to 7 years earlier than previously possible following the Government’s approval for the route to be tolled.

Today the Government announced a new $9.5 million Lotteries Fund to support community events and activities in every part of the country in the lead-up to, and during, the Rugby World Cup.

 Air Ambulances boost, Roof top gardening and putting victims first...

The Bridges Brief - July 2010

In Tauranga and Parliament, British politics, Referendum on Alternative Vote system and more...

Simon in Shanghai Friday 16 July 2010

“Almost $60,000 will be given to air ambulances in Tauranga this week thanks to extra funding from the National-led Government,” says Simon Bridges MP.

“The opening of the Applied Powder Metallurgy Centre is a great day for Tauranga and I want to congratulate all who have worked hard to make this happen” says Simon Bridges MP.

Media Statement, 1 July 2010 - Hon David Carter, Minister of Agriculture  

Agriculture Minister David Carter has welcomed the unanimous passing today of legislation that significantly raises penalties for cruelty to animals.

The Animal Welfare Amendment Act will increase the maximum sentences and fines for animal ill-treatment and neglect, and redefine the way some offences are described.

“This legislation sends a clear message that serious offending against animals will not be tolerated,” says Mr Carter.

Prime Ministerial Visit & Survey in the City 2...

PM Breakfasts in Tauranga - Acorn Foundation    http://www.sunlive.co.nz  Thursday, June 17, 2010

Prime Minister John Key celebrated the Acorn Foundation's 100th donor at a special breakfast in Tauranga on Thursday morning. John Key celebrated the milestone at a breakfast at Classic Flyers in Mount Maunganui with over 400 invited guests. (Read more on Sunlive here...)

Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga, congratulates the Tauranga based Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust (EERST), who won a Community Action award at the annual Ministry of Environment Green Ribbon Awards this evening at the Beehive, Wellington.

Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga congratulates the Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust, who was selected as one of 27 finalists in the annual Green Ribbon Awards.  This local organisation was among 143 organisations, individuals, businesses and communities nominated for this year’s 12 award categories which honour outstanding contributions to protecting New Zealand’s environment.

BUDGET DAY 2010 - was the best day I have had as a new MP at Parliament. I think the same may be the case for many MPs both new and not so new.
 
Put simply, 20 May was a day when I felt that I was part of history. I felt that by winning the seat of Tauranga and contributing to National’s election win I was helping to change the economic performance of this country to grow jobs, create prosperity, and ensure a brighter future for New Zealanders.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says that this year’s budget has delivered support to low and middle income earners in the Tauranga electorate. Mr Bridges says that 73% of all income earners will pay a top tax rate of 17.5% or less from 1 October this year.

Weekend Sun Column 14 May 2010

Diversity Enriches the View, Simon Bridges MP

Before I make some general comments about Maori in general seats, can I begin by noting where I whakapapa to? My background in itself I believe sheds some light on some of the differences between Maori in general seats today and Maori in Maori seats. My mother’s history is simple. She comes from British stock who came to New Zealand and were dairy farmers in Waikato. My father’s background is more exotic. His father was a Pakeha plasterer, Alf Bridges, also of British stock, but his mother was Naku Joseph of Ngata Maniapoto. She grew up in rural Oparure near Te Kuiti, and as I learnt upon a recent visit there my (I think) great-great-grandfather on her side was in fact a Jewish man who in Aotearoa gained himself a couple of Maori wives, from one of whom I come. Politics was in his blood, and I understand he eventually left New Zealand and was a reasonably successful local body politician in Sydney.

On behalf of all New Zealanders the first thing I want to do is thank you for all you’re doing all over this country, as well as internationally in some cases, to protect and care for animals.

Everyone in this room knows – and the latest research continues to confirm – that animals are much smarter than we give them credit for – and much more like us than we have historically thought – save for one thing.

Miss Saigon and ANZAC Day...

I get a lot of pleasure preparing the Bridges Brief for you. Often I use the platform as a bit of a soap box, and I always enjoy sifting through photographs taken throughout the month to find the choicest (or sometimes strangest) ones for your viewing.
 
ANZAC Day 2010 - Click HERE to view Simon's interview with Sunlive in Tauranga.

Just as I come up against all sorts of preconceptions – some times right and some times wrong – about what kind of person becomes an MP and what being an MP involves, I am sure you as professionals working for Fuji Xerox do also.

University of Waikato in Tauranga Graduation Address, 9 April 2010, Holy Trinity Tauranga. (Click here to read more...)

Weekend Sun - 02 April 2010

A busy city, and an unirelenting work focus...

“I welcome the Minister of Transport, Hon Steven Joyce’s view in favour of mandatory security cameras in all taxis” says Simon Bridges, National MP for Tauranga.

A creative class? Tauranga City and more...
 
Local MP encourages you to get behind Plunket Tuesday 23 March 2010

Plunket is challenging Kiwis to dress as superheroes to raise money in its annual appeal this week.

Be a SuperHero for Under-fives is the theme for the Plunket Appeal week, which runs from March 22 to March 28.

Getting more bang for your buck in tertiary education

Acting decisively on animal cruelty

“Last weekend, 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”, Mr Bridges says.

“The results of the Ministry of Education’s 2009 truancy survey show that just over 30,000 students are truant from state and state-integrated schools on any given day,” Mr Bridges says.

“We’re committed to making sure that people who rely on government support get a fair deal, particularly given the current economic climate.

Knock, knock, who’s there ... Its been great to start my half day a week of door knocking in Tauranga South. I’m generally doing this on Monday afternoons and so far have had some great conversations about such subjects as the economy and jobs, law and order, and ACC. There have of course also been discussions about less serious matters including gardening, cars, and the particular tie I have chosen!

Young people will be getting their voice heard when they take over New Zealand’s Parliament on 6 and 7 July for Youth Parliament 2010. Local MP Simon Bridges has now opened his selection process for Youth Parliament 2010.

Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2010, Simon Bridges MP for Tauranga Thursday 18 February, 2010

First reading speech, Thursday 18 February 2010

There are many reasons why the penalties for offending against animals must go up. First and foremost is that sentences currently being handed down in courts are far too light. (Click here to read more...)

“I welcome the announcement that Tauranga is one of thirteen projects that will go through to stage two of the next funding round for The New Zealand Cycle Trail Project”, says Simon Bridges MP for Tauranga.

Simon Bridges, National MP for Tauranga, welcomed the introduction of National Standards this week, as primary and intermediate schools return after the summer break.

Hon David Carter: Minister of Agriculture     
A member’s bill raising the penalty for animal cruelty is to be adopted as a Government bill.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says he will introduce the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2010 into Parliament for referral to Select Committee.

MP welcomes Government adoption of Animal Cruelty Bill 02 February 2010

Simon Bridges, National MP for Tauranga, says it’s time to get behind our local schools and consider standing as a trustee in the May elections.

‘Tauranga overwhelmingly supports a three-strikes sentencing regime for the worst repeat offenders’ says Simon Bridges, National Party Tauranga MP.

Time to get tough on animal cruelty

When Parliament resumes in February I will be seeking multi-party support for my private member’s bill that I will be putting in the ballot to raise the penalty for wilful ill-treatment of animals from 3 to 5 years imprisonment.