Chester Borrows: Tourism boom in our region

Chester Borrows

AS WE launch into this new year -- which will be another busy one for sure -- we can have confidence that New Zealand is on the right track.

With the Government gearing up for the challenges of election year, after a smooth changeover at the top, we are in capable hands with Bill English and Paula Bennett as leaders and an energetic team of ministers and MPs behind them.

There's a clear plan for New Zealand's future, building on the strong momentum achieved over the past eight years. This country is well positioned compared with many other countries -- and that's no accident.

The fact that our economy remains one of the strongest in the developed world is the result of New Zealanders' hard work, backed by the National-led Government's clear plan for our future.

And Kiwi families are seeing the benefits.

About 250,000 extra jobs have been created over the past three years and unemployment is expected to drop to 4.7 per cent in the first quarter.

The average annual wage is now $58,400 -- up $12,000 since we were elected in 2008 and having grown at more than twice the rate of inflation -- while interest rates are at 50-year lows.

The minimum wage will rise in April.

The country is back in surplus and we are getting better results from important public services like hospitals, schools and social programmes. There's very strong growth in the tourism, ICT and building and construction sectors as well as in high-tech manufacturing.

Tourists coming through the regions, particularly those who are travelling free and independently, are pumping money into local economies and providing people of this region with jobs, stability and business growth.

Tourism and visitor expenditure is forecast to grow by 65 per cent to $16 billion in 2022 and this electorate region is among the fastest-growing areas. We are also seeing a nationwide building boom -- annual residential building consents have more than doubled.

The nation is in a relatively healthy fiscal position with the resilience and financial strength to bounce back from both global challenges and local catastrophes such as the Kaikoura earthquakes, where the Government continues to support the recovery effort.

National is committed to ensuring this stability and progress continues in 2017.

I am your MP right up until the next election, and I look forward to representing you. If you have concerns or questions, contact your nearest electorate office and let's catch up.