Cast your memory back one year ago - New Zealanders had just voted in the National-led Government with a record majority and a clear mandate that work needs to be done on our most vulnerable in society.
I'm tremendously proud of where we stand together as a region and acountry today, one year on.
We've seen the Government take on board the concerns of Kiwis reflected in the election and integrate that into concrete outcomes: • Free doctor's visits and prescriptions for children under 13 • Increasing welfare for our most vulnerable for the first time in over 40 years • $790 million budget package for children in hardship • Reduced ACC levies • 69,000 new jobs created in the year to June
Also as a region we have seen some excellent gains. • A full-scale recovery of kiwifruit growers since the Psa-virus • Completion of the Tauranga Eastern Link • $14.61 million invested into our cycleways • Strong performance from all sectors in our community, including growers, construction and tourism.
The business optimism in the Bay is palpable and a common headline. We can afford to take stock and be proud of what our region has achieved in this last year.