He noted the country's strong economy and National's focus on improving public services such as housing, and law and order.
Labour candidate for the Bay of Plenty Clare Wilson said her campaign would be community-based.
"Because I live and work in this community, I'm seeing every day the struggles people are having like housing, meeting their daily bills and being able to afford anything but the daily necessities."
Mrs Wilson said she had organised a meeting for the migrant population in the Bay of Plenty to hear their struggles too.
"Our economy is supposed to be better, brighter but when you look at the basics people are struggling."
Labour would also address issues such as overcrowding and associated health problems.
"People are living in cold, damp houses and with one family to a room; people don't think that is happening in the beautiful Bay of Plenty but I am seeing it."
Labour MP Rachel Jones said affordable housing was a major issue.
"We know Tauranga is the second least affordable place in New Zealand; the ratio of income to house price, $360,000 is the median house price but the median income is $40,000; it's a real struggle particularly for first-home owners."
There was also a real need for emergency housing, she said.
"We have a lot of people that are struggling, the people National is not paying much attention to. The people who are struggling to scrape by, these are the people we want to connect with."
Tauranga National MP Simon Bridges said he would be working hard to win support.
"I'll be doing a series of grassroots activities from door knocking, street corner meetings, pamphlets and letters, and talking to as many folk as I can."
Mr Bridges said families would be the focus of his campaign.
"All the things we are doing is to make Tauranga and New Zealand a great place to raise families and provide plentiful opportunities. National has a strong record of providing better infrastructure and services since 2008 and it's entirely possible one or two announcements would be made on the campaign trail to continue making this place the best place possible for families."