Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

It was a great pleasure to have my boss Prime Minister John Key in Tauranga last week to speak to a variety of groups and visit a number of businesses.

The day after his visit, Transport Minister Steven Joyce was also in Tauranga to announce that the government will proceed with an underpass at Maungatapu. Together with the Tauranga Eastern Link and the Pyes Pa Bypass, this takes this government's roading investment in our area to more than half a billion dollars.

On Friday, I had Minister Hekia Parata in Tauranga as well and she spoke to groups about the importance of women in leadership roles in business and politics and she also addressed a large group from the Tauranga Indian community. In addition to being Minister of Energy and Resources and of Women's Affairs, Hekia is also Minister of Ethnic Affairs.

On a personal note, I've had a couple of other things occupying my thoughts and time recently. Firstly, my wife Natalie and I are very excited about her pregnancy. We are expecting a baby around March 23 next year. Thank you very much for your kind wishes during the last wee while. While not in the same category of significance, I also had an elbow operation at Grace Hospital last week so if you see me around town with my arm in a sling you will know why. Grace Hospital is a tremendous asset for our city.

National delivering on promise to build a safer New Zealand

We all deserve to feel safe in our homes and city. We shouldn't have to worry about walking down to the dairy or taking our kids to the playground. But if a crime is committed, we also deserve a justice system that meets our needs, delivers timely justice and sends a clear message that crime won't be tolerated.

When National came to office, law and order wasn't good. Violent crime was increasing, gangs were growing in strength, the drug P was rampant and prisons were facing a capacity crisis.

National promised to take action on violent crime and we're delivering on that promise. We've passed 18 laws to help make families safer. We're addressing the drivers of crime, we've put more police officers on the frontline, minimising alcohol-related harm and putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

We declared a war on drugs with a crackdown on precursors and drug supply chains. Police have new powers to intercept gang communications and dismantle gang fortifications. A new police Assets Recovery Unit is hunting down and seizing the profits of organised crime. This year, more than 24 kilograms of methamphetamine and $40 million of criminal assets have been seized.

We've made it harder to get bail, introduced tougher sentences for crimes against children and the worst repeat violent criminals can no longer get parole and have to serve their full sentences.

National is addressing New Zealand's binge-drinking culture. Our Alcohol Reform Bill focuses on minimising alcohol-related harm, including crime, disorder and public health problems and zeros in on where harm is occurring, particularly around young people.

Victims of crime are in the criminal justice system through no fault of their own. National's Offender Levy provides them with the extra support they need to get through their darkest hours. All convicted offenders pay the $50 levy which has been so successful we're able to fund 13 new entitlements and services for victims.

Crime was down 6.7 per cent per person across the country last year, more offenders than ever are getting the drug and alcohol rehabilitation they need and more than 400 extra police are on the beat across New Zealand.

National promised to build a safer New Zealand by tackling violent crime and addressing the drivers of crime – we're delivering on this promise. Our work is helping to make communities safer for families.