Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Here in the Bay, we love getting outdoors and spending time with nature. From exploring native species in our beautiful forests to scaling mountain ranges in our world-famous national parks, getting outside and experiencing our natural environment is part of the kiwi psyche.
And we want future generations to do the same.
Here in Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty, we have some great natural assets, which we want to treasure.
The Government is committed to protecting New Zealand's natural environment, and it's important to realize everyone has a role to play in protecting nature and promoting conservation.
Conservation Week started on Saturday, and it's a great opportunity for local children, parents, schools and communities to get involved with local conservation efforts.
The week has more than 100 great activities taking place throughout the country and builds on the Department of Conservation's (DOC) ‘Healthy Nature, Healthy People' theme, with studies showing that spending time in nature improves mental and physical wellbeing.
It's also a great opportunity for young New Zealanders to learn about the value of conservation and the important role it plays in our heritage. Children who connect with nature are more likely to want to save it in the future, so I urge parents around the region to take their young ones to local events and give them a chance to contribute to the local environment.
The National-led Government believes supporting community conservation efforts is a great way to strengthen New Zealanders' bond with nature. We launched the $26 million DOC Community Fund, and forged commercial partnerships worth $80 million for conservation groups over the last five years.
Supporting community conservation is part of our commitment to protecting native species, and preserving flora and fauna. Under National, DOC works with more species and more ecosystems than ever before, and we have a busy conservation programme in place.
Earlier this year the Government announced Predator Free 2050, a ground-breaking initiative to rid New Zealand of all predators that threaten native animals and plants and wreak havoc on our agricultural sector.
The project builds on our $36 million commitment to Battle for our Birds 2016 to protect vulnerable species from pests, and to control New Zealand's single biggest weed threat, wilding pines.
To find out more about conservation week, visit www.doc.govt.nz/conservationweek