Welcome to my website!
It’s a great privilege to be Tauranga’s MP.
Tauranga is the best place to live in New Zealand. The beaches, the climate, and the lifestyle are amazing. The people are special and know how lucky we are to live in a city that has come of age.
This isn’t just because we have made it onto the TV weather maps, or now have a population of well over 100,000. It’s also because of our friendly, positive attitudes, not always evident around the rest of our country.Tauranga is a vibrant city with a great future. I really enjoy being a part of that, and work hard to advocate our city’s case in Wellington.
My vision for Tauranga is of a first class, first world city that people around the world are jealous of. This means working hard to ensure our community gets the infrastructure and services it deserves while we also retain our special character and lifestyle.
Without a doubt 2011 was a difficult year for all of New Zealand. While Christchurch suffered another horrific earthquake, and the ground still refuses to settle, Tauranga too was challenged. The impact of the bacterial disease Psa on our local Kiwifruit industry and the grounding of the Rena in October were felt deeply across our region. What encourages me though, is the way our community came together to support each other and our city’s interests during this time. We continue to prove our resilience and resourcefulness.
It is my privilege to be your MP in Tauranga. If you live in Tauranga and have an issue I can help with or that you think I should know about please get in touch – my office and I are here to help.
Together let’s keep making Tauranga a city others are jealous of.
Best Wishes,
A bit about Simon:
In the National-led Government, Simon's Caucus responsibilities have included:
• (2012 - current) Minister of Consumer Affairs
• (2012 - current) Associate Minister of Transport
• (2012 - current) Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues
• (2012 - 2012) Chairperson – Finance and Expenditure Committee
• (2012 - 2012) Member, Justice and Electoral Committee
• (2008-2011) Deputy-Chairperson – Justice and Electoral Committee
• (2010-2011) Member, Maori Affairs Committee
• (2008-2011) Member, House Committee
• (2009-2010) Member, Auckland Governance Legislation Committee
• (2008-2010) Member, Law and Order Select Committee
Simon was selected as National’s candidate for Tauranga in June 2008, and was successful in his campaign to continue his hard work for Tauranga in the 2011 General Election. Simon was re-elected as MP for Tauranga in 2011 winning this seat with the 5th highest majority of support in New Zealand.
Prior to standing for Parliament, he was a Senior Crown Prosecutor in the District and High Courts of New Zealand. Simon had been a prosecutor in Tauranga since 2001, working largely on jury trials. He moved to Tauranga from a role as litigation lawyer at a major legal firm based in Auckland. He has worked as a volunteer in local organisations and on neighbourhood projects. He enjoys being active in the community and the great lifestyle that Tauranga has to offer.
Simon was educated at the University of Auckland, completing a B.A (Political Science and History) and a LLB (Hons). He received the Senior Law Prize. He later completed a Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. He also went to the London School of Economics and worked as an intern at the British House of Commons, after receiving the Chevening - Hansard Society Fellowship.
Since being elected in 2008, Simon has been a member of the Law and Order Committee, the specially appointed Auckland Governance Committee, the Maori Affairs Committee and is a former Deputy-Chairperson of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee. Currently, in the 50th Parliament, he is the Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee and member of the Justice and Electoral Committee.
While Simon has worked tirelessly in Wellington across a number of portfolios, the beginning of 2010 noted a significant achievement for him. He initiated a Private Members Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act so that animal cruelty is better dealt with by the Courts. This bill quickly developed grassroots support and the Government picked up Simon's bill. The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill toughened the regime for offending against animals in a comprehensive way and was passed into law 1 July 2010.
Simon is married to Natalie and lives in Mount Maunganui with their two dogs. Simon’s interests include running, reading and being with his family.
Prime Minister Hon John Key, Hon Tony Ryall, MP for Bay of Plenty and Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga at the opening of the Electorate Office, 184 Devonport Road, Tauranga
