Rotorua residents packed the Kahukura Rugby Club to standing room only for a chance to hear from and question National Party leader Simon Bridges, who was in town as part of a "Connecting With Communities Roadshow" around the country.
Bridges, who hit the road early in May, talked about everythingfrom the coalition government, to drug reform, social welfare and the issues that matter most to the Rotorua region.
"There has never in my life, and Todd [McClay, Rotorua MP] can't quite say this, been a one-term government.
"This will be an exciting and hard-fought election ... I believe we can make MMP work for the National Party by being the biggest and best party and making lots of friends."
He said there were certainly going to be members of the Green and New Zealand First parties who were losing faith under the coalition government and that could be to their benefit.
"We may get a real Green Party, not this watermelon party, green on the outside and red on the inside, caring more about socialism than the environment."
National Party leader Simon Bridges spoke to more than 250 people at the Kahukura clubrooms. Photo/Stephen Parker
More than 250 people had come to listen and the roadshow became a question and answer session when he sent the microphone out to the floor.
People had questions about the PostShop which was closing in Rotorua's CBD.
"Whether it's your PostShop or your rescue helicopter, we're seeing the hollowing out of services in the regions.
"This is ministers who aren't leaving the Beehive, getting out and hearing the feedback of real people."
He was also asked about what National was looking at in terms of policy, mental health issues and how it could help solo mums.
Bridges said he loved coming to Rotorua and the feedback was remarkably similar to what he was hearing in the rest of the country.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he never knew how many people would turn up to these kinds of events so it was good to see the room so full.
"I think people certainly welcomed the opportunity to meet the new leader and to see what he was about.
"We've had very positive feedback."
McClay said people could see how passionate Bridges was as a "compassionate conservative."
A group of women, who chose not to be named as they'd snuck out of work to see Bridges, thought he spoke very well.
"It was interesting to hear his opinion, especially around how we can keep young people in this country, a lot of my friends have moved overseas," one said.
