Rotorua MP Todd McClay looks back at one year in opposition

Todd McClay has been Rotorua MP for a decade. Photo / Stephen Parker

As tomorrow marks one year since the 2017 Election Day, reporter Zizi Sparks looked back on the year that was and the way forward for Rotorua-based MPs Todd McClay, Fletcher Tabuteau and Tamati Coffey.

For National's Todd McClay, the past year has been his first as Rotorua MP while in the opposition party.

One of McClay's key promises was to prioritise the four laning of Te Ngae Rd if National was in power.

"I am continually told both by businesses as well as residents that road must be a priority for four laning ... The only way Rotorua can continue to grow is with good infrastructure."

McClay said he continued to advocate for the city.

"Over the nine years I was in government I pushed very hard for Rotorua to get its fair share. We did extremely well.

"While it's only been 12 months, the early signs from the Government are Rotorua is not receiving as much as it used to be. Should that continue that would be quite concerning."

McClay said not holding any ministerial portfolios meant he had more time to spend in Rotorua.

"My electorate office remains very busy and, if anything, my staff say busier," he said.

"That's dealing with a wide range of issues local people have. It's not only about issues in Government."

McClay said he was also working with investors and the business community to identify opportunities for Rotorua.

"I'm working with local people and outside investors around more housing and some other areas around business investment which will help grow the local economy."

McClay said his priorities for Rotorua were housing, business confidence and investment in infrastructure.

"Those remain priorities for Rotorua as the population grows and with growth comes challenges ... Progress needs to be made much more quickly that it seems to be," he said.

"The local economy is still doing well and we're seeing investment but a lot of that was started a year or two ago."

He said investment in infrastructure was needed in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty.

"We continue to be a city people are choosing to come and live in but if investment in infrastructure doesn't keep pace with other areas of the country then our appeal may diminish and that would mean lost opportunities."

About Rotorua MP Todd McClay
- Stood in the Rotorua electorate in 2008 and unseated incumbent Labour MP Steve Chadwick with a majority of 5065.
- Sworn in as a member of Parliament on December 8, 2008.
- Re-elected in 2011 with a 7357 vote majority.
- Re-elected in 2014 with a 7418 vote majority.
- Re-elected in 2017 with a 7901 vote majority.
- Previously held ministerial portfolios in revenue, health, tourism, foreign affairs, trade and state-owned enterprises.