Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

It was great to have the Prime Minister in Tauranga this week. We had a busy day where the PM opened the Port of Tauranga's Berth extension and commissioned its new Liebherr gantry crane and met with a number of local business people and young achievers. His schedules are relentless and he does a great job for New Zealand.

I've also been busy in Tauranga and beyond. Last week, as Minister of Energy and Resources, I announced the Government's plans to strengthen protections for offshore petroleum and minerals activity through the establishment of two new criminal offences involving intentional damage to and interference with offshore mining structures and vessels.

Such disruptive activities need to be deterred because they are dangerous and aimed at stopping others going about their lawful business. In my short time in this area I have learned what a great industry it is, creating many very high value jobs for New Zealanders.

Economy growing

While on the subject of jobs, latest statistics show that the economy grew three per cent in the calendar year 2012, comparable to Australia's 3.1 per cent growth. We're well ahead of the United States with 1.6 per cent growth, 0.3 per cent in the UK, and negative 0.9 per cent in the Euro area.

Manufacturing in New Zealand grew 2.7 per cent in 2012 and exports were up 2.1 per cent. And spending on research and development by New Zealand businesses reached $1.2 billion in 2012 – up almost 25 per cent since 2010.

In its annual check-up of our country's health, the International Monetary Fund has just given the tick of approval to National's responsible management of the Government's finances, one of our priorities this term.

The IMF says we're getting it right with our balanced approach to supporting growth and reducing public debt.

So while opposition parties are trying to talk New Zealand down and say no to jobs, National is moving to put the economy on a more competitive footing.

In particular, we have embarked on more than 300 initiatives to build export markets, innovation, skills, capital markets, infrastructure, and better access to our natural resources, as part of our Business Growth Agenda.

This is helping give businesses the confidence to invest, grow, and hire new staff. Real growth doesn't happen until one more business invests another dollar, sells a better product or service, and hires another person.

In addition, our sensible fiscal and monetary policy is helping to keep interest rates and inflation low, which is benefitting businesses and households.

Other news

Other political news that's caught my eye this last week is the strong statistics showing decreasing crime.

Under National, the number of people being charged in court has fallen more than 20 per cent since 2009.

In 2012, 98,783 people appeared in court, down seven per cent from 2011, and 22 per cent from 2009.

The number of people charged with a violent offence dropped 17 per cent over the past four years.

The rate of children and young people being charged in court is down 40 per cent since 2007, and the number of children and young people convicted in an adult court for serious offences has dropped from 500 to 199 in the past five years. This has got to be very good news.