Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Last week I was in the Coromandel with local MP Scott Simpson. After visiting local manufacturer Pumas Darts and owners Peter and Julie in Katikati we had a public meeting and morning tea in Waihi. We also had an underground tour of the Favona underground gold mine. The sheer size and scale of the operation is remarkable.

On Wednesday, I was down in Wellington for Youth Parliament. Once a term, MPs select a young person between the age of 15 and 18 to go to Wellington and get a sense of what it is like to be a Member of Parliament. There was even a mock question time, where ministers, including myself, had to answer questions. I must say the grilling we got was far more intense than we usually get from the opposition.

Tauranga was represented by Tauranga Boys' College student Mungo Mason. I was very impressed with the calibre and talent of the young people I saw taking part.

I also attended the blessing of the new police station in Monmouth Road. This new station brings police operations together under one roof, enabling closer co-operation and communication between police groups, a better working environment and better facilities for the public.

Making welfare work for Kiwis

One of our four key priorities for our second term is delivering better public services, and welfare reform is central to that.

We will require those who are able to be drug-free and ready to work. We are stopping benefits for beneficiaries on the run from police, and placing social obligations on beneficiary parents so their children get the support they need.

We campaigned on welfare reform and we're delivering on it.

Currently, there are around 310,000 working age people, 12 per cent of the working age population, receiving a benefit in New Zealand.

A total of 220,000 children live in benefit-dependent homes. Too many people are being trapped in a life of limited choices, poverty and poor health.

It's also costing taxpayers too much and we spend $8 billion on welfare a year.

That's why we want to get people who are capable of working off welfare and into work, so they have a better life with more opportunities.

Young people are central to many of the changes we are making.

Last year we introduced a managed system of payments for young people on a benefit to cover essential costs like rent and power directly, with an allowance and a payment card for living costs.

Youth Services is meaning community providers are able to work directly with young people to support them leaving school.

We've guaranteed childcare costs do not stop young parents from studying, by investing $80 million last year to cover the costs of childcare, supporting them while they're in education.

National is ensuring the Government works more closely with people on welfare to help them into jobs.

By supporting more beneficiaries into work we will help them achieve their potential and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.