Simon Bridges is more excited about Tauranga's future than ever before. Photo/John Borren
Simon Bridges is more excited about Tauranga's future than ever before. Photo/John Borren
After nine years as Tauranga's MP Simon Bridges says not much about him has changed.
He is older, less fit and, as a father of two and minister three times over, juggling a few more responsibilities than the "young gun" lawyer who first stood for office in 2008.
His parentsthought he was mad to set aside a plum Crown prosecutor job and take on Winston Peters, a high-profile minister and former longstanding Tauranga MP.
Bridges won, but said the campaign was a "trial by fire".
His Breakfast TV gig alongside Jacinda Ardern polished his political skills and boosted his profile massively, but becoming a minister was the real test.
"There's no manual for that. You're learning on the job and it's sink or swim."
He found his flippers and rose through the ranks to be fifth-ranked on National's list, the Minister for Communications, Economic Development and Transport, plus Associate Minister of Finance and Leader of the House.
But being MP for Tauranga topped the lot, he said.
"That's my everything and everything flows from it. I'd hate to be a list MP. I feel a sense of authority, a speaking right, from being an MP grounded in my community and supported by it."
Simon Bridges at the Port of Tauranga. Photo/George Novak
He said his senior position gave him the kind of political clout Tauranga needed to make the most of the "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for growth and change.
"I'm more excited about this city than ever before."
There were big projects on the horizon he wanted to see through, especially the Tauranga Northern Link and building 35,000 new homes.
He pledged to ensure construction of a museum for the city was under way within three years if re-elected.
Among his proudest achievements as Tauranga's MP he counted major transport projects, growing Tauranga Hospital and helping make the Hairy Maclary statues happen.
Like the city he represents, his family has grown. He and wife Natalie have two boys, 5 and 3, and a baby girl on the way.
He described himself as an "impatient" dad, but he tried to be "in the moment" when spending quality time with his boys.
His weeks were usually split between Wellington and Tauranga, but the campaign had allowed him more time at home and in the community lately.
"I enjoy going to the Citizens Club. I like the burgers, I've got a weakness for them."
