Simon Bridges to contest Tauranga electorate for National

NEW ZEALAND HERALD: National's new Tauranga candidate wants to avoid getting personal in his election campaign.

Simon Bridges, who won selection last night, told the Weekend Herald he did not want a battle with his likely foe, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

"I want to earn votes from Tauranga by presenting a positive, ambitious case, not getting into a slanging match," Mr Bridges said.

Party delegates chose the 31-year-old to replace outgoing MP Bob Clarkson on the first ballot.

Mr Peters is expected to announce his bid for the seat soon, but Mr Bridges said he was "not going to talk about personalities".

"I think people want more dignity from their politicians, and I'm not going to be playing in the gutter."

Mr Bridges said Tauranga residents had voted for change three years ago when they elected Mr Clarkson after 21 years of Mr Peters as their MP.

"People are tired of the politics of the past. Tauranga is now a modern and vibrant city and it wants an MP to match."

Mr Bridges has been a member of the National Party for 16 years and aims to be a long-term representative for the city from inside caucus.

"I think the story of Tauranga has been one of lost opportunity. We haven't had the infrastructural investment we have deserved because we haven't had an MP inside a Government caucus for generations."

For him, this year's election was about "generational change".

Rising living costs were a major issue for young families and seniors in his electorate, and Tauranga residents had told him they wanted firm action on law and order.

Mr Bridges said he had a strong understanding of the latter after working as a Crown prosecutor in the city for the past few years.

He holds a law and arts degree from the University of Auckland, and a Masters in Law from Oxford University.

He plans to resign from his job and work full time on his campaign.