Candidate concerned at rural decline in North

National's Northland candidate Matt King says he's well aware of the challenges some "once bustling' centres in the electorate are facing.

National's Northland candidate in September's general election agrees that some once-bustling centres within the electorate are "suffering".

"Northland is made up almost exclusively of small rural towns, and being local means I really understand the problems we face. Rural decline is one issue we have," Matt King said.

The solution, he said, was to develop infrastructure to attract business to the region and improve those already there.

"With this come opportunities for people to live and work here, and as those of us who already do know, it's a really beautiful place to be," Mr King said.

"As a businessman and a farmer from the Mid North I know all about the challenges rural living creates," he added.

"Managing a business highlights the need for good marketing and promotion of our region to get some forward momentum. It starts with all of us. We are the best sales people for our own region, which has so much to offer - great climate, stunning beaches, forests, lakes, and an incredible history.

"We are on the doorstep of the largest city in New Zealand. How lucky are we? It's Northland's point of difference from other similar provinces around New Zealand, and we need to capitalise on it, starting by improving the roading network into and within our region. This is well under way, with the $700 million Puhoi to Wellsford motorway and the $400 million Whangarei to Northport northern leg.

"This will eventually link up to create a game-changing motorway from Auckland to Whangarei.

"Improving vital services such as digital connectivity is as crucial to business today as is running water, and with the recent UFB2 announcement the future looks bright.

"These investments will create an environment for business to prosper and for people to consider Northland as the first choice to holiday or live. All this has a really positive flow-on effect to improve the lives and opportunities for all the people in small towns all over our region.

"I truly believe that a lot of the social issues are minimised when people are working. It's a big piece of the puzzle."

Mr King added that progress was being made with the government's bridge-building programme in Northland. Two two-lane bridges were under construction at Matakohe, and a start would be made at Taipa next year, followed by Kaeo.

"It's easy to assume that things are not happening simply because we don't hear about it, but many great things are under way all over our region and in many of our small towns," he said.