Whangarei is giving future leaders a second chance through courses at training entities such as People Potential, Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett said.
Her comments followed the conclusion of a three-day whirlwind visit to Northland at The Falls Estate, a retirement village on Boundary Rd yesterday afternoon. Earlier, Bennett visited People Potential in Kensington for a meet and greet and speech, met the methamphetamine harm team at Te Ara Oranga and toured Whangarei Hospital's mental health and addictions' unit.
In Kerikeri on Tuesday she spent an hour talking to staff at Kerikeri police station, then went on a low-key walkabout and visited businesses including a chocolate factory and timber mill.
At The Falls Estate, where she helped celebrate the completion of the expansion of the village she briefly addressed residents before participating in a tree-planting ceremony with Whangarei MP Dr Shane Reti and Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai.
She said the country was going "great guns" and spoke about visiting businesses on Tuesday in Kerikeri that planned to employ more people.
Whangarei-based People Potential, she said, gave people second chance at training and they saw their career advancement in New Zealand, alongside migrants.
"For me that's success and a sign that Whangarei is growing."
Ms Bennett drifted between political and non-political issues during her address.
She briefly touched upon a shortage of builders in the country and 45,000 young people
in apprenticeship.
The minister reminded residents that advance voting starts on September 11.