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Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz |
It is fantastic to hear that the Bay of Plenty Regional Council intends to allocate $15 million towards a tertiary education campus in the city.
The Council should be applauded for their commitment to keeping and attracting young people to Tauranga. Too often our best and brightest must leave to further their education. This will allow the next generation of leaders to stay here and apply their skills and potential in the local community.
It is also great to hear the news that a $5 million publicly funded birthing centre is to be built in Bethlehem. During the years, I have had a number of people come to me expressing the need for just this type of centre. The 12-room Bethlehem Birthing Centre, due to be open in September 2014, fills a gap in local services, offering a non-hospital birth, accommodation and support for up to three days free.
These are just two examples of the fact that Tauranga is now being recognised as a great place for all ages. There has been an influx of younger people moving to the area in recent years; and services such as these are needed to continue to this trend, as well as provide the opportunity for our local young people to stay.
Go digital today to keep watching TV
It is now less than 100 days until all the upper North Island goes digital on 1 December. Going Digital is the move to completely digital television, and the process of viewers making the changes needed to tune into digital signals. To keep watching TV, all households need to have Freeview, Sky, or Igloo before then.
While more than nine out of 10 homes in the Upper North Island having already gone digital, there are still more than 60,000 households yet to make the switch. You don't need a new TV to go digital because almost any set can go digital with the right equipment.
The Going Digital team will be out and about in communities to provide advice to those who need information. You can contact them on 0800 838 800, visit: www.goingdigital.co.nz or you can contact my electorate office.