What our civic leaders have to say

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby

Tauranga Mayor
Stuart Crosby"I hope the Government can achieve what they set out to in terms of having a positive economy. Everyone can win from having a positive economy. I'm really pleased with the investment in education and the investment in the economy ... to raise some salaries, which they are predicting. I think New Zealanders have battled on with increasing costs without increasing wages, which is not sustainable. Money has to be spent in education, particularly at people getting to NCEA level 2. If they are going to participate in the workforce they have to have some basic skills. It's about getting all New Zealanders to be able to read and write."

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges

National MP Simon Bridges

"For Tauranga the Budget means a couple of things. They can look forward to more jobs and higher average wages and that's about 172,000 more jobs expected by 2018. Wages are forecast to grow to an average $62,300 by 2018 and also the wages growing by more than inflation so people have more in their pockets. People will really like and understand $172 million more on paid parental leave for mums and their new-borns and increasing the time period from 14 to 18 weeks but also who's eligible for it. Free doctors visits for children under 13 would mean parents did not have to think twice about whether or not to take a child to the doctor."

Labour candidate for Tauranga Rachel Jones

"What's conspicuous by its absence from this budget is any emphasis on job creation. Unemployment and underemployment, particularly amongst youth, are real issues in Tauranga. There's also nothing for exporters or to encourage innovation, which is a real shame as I know there are a lot of talented people trying to bring higher value jobs to this city. In contrast, Labour's economic upgrade package will make a real difference to employment by encouraging investment, innovation and industry."

Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall

"This is a great budget for children and families of New Zealand. Because of our financial management we can afford to make doctors visits and prescriptions free for another 400,000 kids and offer better care for cancer patients and their families. We have set aside money for extra hospital staff who will help families and cancer patients through the emotional roller coaster that comes after a cancer diagnosis."

BOP Labour candidate Clare Wilson

Clare Wilson

"Labour's vision is for a New Zealand where everyone can afford their own home and to raise a family. The housing changes in this budget will only save $3500 on a new house, just half a per cent, and 18 weeks paid parental leave is not long enough to allow mums to spend those vitally important first six months with their babies. People need to be our first priority."

Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker

Priority One chief executive, Andrew Coker.

"It is very much what I expected. That's really exciting, any level of investment in science. Here we've got several industries which are research based: titanium research and marine research. With a tertiary campus already on the cards for Tauranga central, the $199 million investment in tertiary education would benefit the region. In terms of of our ability to have more students and deliver courses that are relevant, then, yes, it will help."

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett

"Having a $370 million surplus is good. That is a good thing in terms of controlling inflation. I think the freezing of duties and tariffs on building material is really good and will hopefully help reduce the cost. It'd be interesting to see the content of local versus imported in terms of building a house. It will go some way to bringing down the cost of building a house. I'm pleased to see more focus on getting people off the benefit and into employment, particularly through the 6000 new apprenticeship opportunities. To get our unemployment rate down to 4.4 per cent from that 6 per cent level is a good target."

Independent MP Brendan Horan

"It's a case of where are the full-time jobs and tell me which New Zealanders are enjoying the benefits? Where is the future for our young people? We desperately need more money in education for skills and competence for young children and the existing workforce for digital literacy. How are they going to give relief for home owners when the budget is going to see a hike in interest rates? I'm not impressed with the Budget, not because I'm in opposition, but because Kiwis are still going to suffer."