Simon Bridges National Party Leader simonbridges.co.nz

The billboards are down and your mailboxes are free of electioneering material. Running for public office is not an easy job and I would like to sincerely thank all of you who put your names forward to run and attend the many public meetings held over the past three months. My congratulations to our new Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell and to those that were successful standing as Councillors and on our local DHB. As the Member of Parliament for this beautiful city, I look forward to working alongside the team elected.

To those that were unsuccessful - don't give up. If it is your passion to be involved, continue in whatever way you are able. Local government is an important part of our democracy and we always need committed, passionate people who are willing to put their hands up. Remember that you need to build your brand and it is unlikely to succeed if it is just a three month campaign. Stay involved, because local community views do matter.

You may remember my column not too long ago, about the Department of Corrections proposing to relocate their three Community Corrections facilities to become one mega-facility in Burrows Street.

I would like to thank all those that worked tirelessly within their community to ensure that the concerns were heard and understood, by both the Council and the Department of Corrections. I am pleased to say that the Department will now search for a far more appropriate location.