Simon Bridges National Party Leader simonbridges.co.nz

For the past nine years, I have had the pleasure of taking part in the Women's Lifestyle Expo. This year, I will be there again.

One of the things I find most interesting (other than talking with people) is the 'issues board”. I ask expo goers to place a blue dot next to their top priority.

The issues we include are law and order, education, the economy, health, housing, employment and the environment. During the last few expos the economy has come out on top.

I agree with this, as the economy drives how we pay for the other issues like health and education. That is why it is so concerning that business confidence has fallen and the economy is slowing under this government.

For the last couple of years, housing also moved up the 'issue board” along with the environment. I will be interested to see what people think this year.

If you would like to give us your input, then please come along and take part. I would enjoy hearing your perspective.

If you don't have time for a chat, make sure you put a dot by your most important issue. It is a great way of gauging what our community sees as their top priorities and helps us target these with good policies going forward.

The expo is on this Saturday and Sunday, August 25 and 26, from 10am-5pm at ASB Baypark. It would be great to see you there.