Simon Bridges addresses gathering in Hamilton
By Gurbir Singh (Hamilton, New Zealand) 10 May, 2018:
There was a huge turnout of supporters in Hamilton to listen to Simon Bridges who took over as leader of the New Zealand’s National party earlier this year and is the opposition leader.
Simon is currently on a roadtrip around the country to meet and connect with as many local communities as possible from all walks of life.
Hundreds gathered to welcome the party leader when he stopped to address supporters this morning and the jam-packed hall was evident of the immense popularity he and his party enjoy in this region.
Simon admitted this was perhaps the biggest gathering he had addressed in his ‘meet the New Zealanders’ road trip.
The opposition leader fielded and answered questions on a wide range of subjects from eager listeners as he prepared grounds for next elections in 2020.
With an affable smile and a distinct charm, Simon diplomatically tackled some sensitive questions, including Maori and abortion issues.
Simon who is the first Māori leader of the National Party, has never tried to trade off his Māori heritage.
In reply to one question, he said, “I am proud of my Māori heritage, but I’m a New Zealander”.
Simon also made his conservative stand clear on issues like abortion.
Some young girl students of local Sacred Heart College were keen to know how the National party proposes to involve youngsters in politics, and if he was in favour of including politics as a school subject.
Pointing to his own elevation and that of Jacinda Arden as a PM, he said that “we both belong to the new generation”, but he was not inclined either to lower the voting age or include Politics as a subject.”Already you students have too many subjects”, he remarked.
The National leader questioned the Government's decision to inject about $900 million for diplomats, rather than making cheaper visits to the doctors.
He also criticised the spread in the use of meth and gang culture.
He admitted there was child poverty in this country, but the way government was pretending to solve it, was incorrect. Changes were needed in the welfare system to tackle the root cause.
National party is not in favour of cutting immigration numbers as the country was already facing labour and skills shortages.
As an opposition party, Simon admitted their hands are tied, but “our 56 MPs are available to listen to you, to understand your priorities and we will action it in 2020.”
Simon has been an MP since 2008 and he and his wife, Natalie live in Tauranga with their three young children.
In the last National-led Government, Simon held several ministerial portfolios including Labour, Energy, Transport, Communications, Economic Development and Leader of the House.
Prior to standing for Parliament, Simon was a senior Crown Prosecutor in the District and High Courts.
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Gurbir Singh is a new Zealand-based Freelance Feature Writer & Journalist. he can be reached at: gurbir@journalist.com