Today /u/Fresh3001, leader of ACT New Zealand and the Opposition, launched his reelection campaign for the Bay of Plenty electorate. Speaking at the ASB Baypark Arena in Tauranga, he was greeted by a much larger crowd than for his previous campaign launch in the same location.

“Friends, neighbours, supporters, fellow Taurangans and Bay of Plentyians. Thank you all for turning up to the launch of what I’m sure will be a landmark campaign this election. Three years ago, I stood here, more or less in the same place as I am now. We were polling 21 points behind the Labour candidate, and ACT had no hope of government. By the end of the election campaign we had won in the Bay of Plenty by a margin of 27.4%, thanks to you, the people of this great electorate. Now we have the opportunity to show New Zealand what we stand for once again. Fiscal responsibility, the expansion of liberties and cutting down on red tape.

“When James Cook landed here in 1769 he named this great stretch of coastline the ‘Bay of Plenty’ in reference to its abundance of supplies and the generosity of its inhabitants. I’ve only lived here for three years of my life, but I have experienced the generosity and kindness of the people of the Bay of Plenty above all else. I’m sure all of you have noticed, experienced or been a part of that generosity with the events of the past few years. Cyclone Ella hit us hard, and there was every chance that we might not recover. But I’ll tell you, I was astounded by the contribution that the people here made to the Relief Fund. People dealing with deaths, injuries, destruction and flooding were still concerned about those hit worse than them. It’s been almost 250 years but the generosity of the Bay of Plenty still remains.

“Unfortunately the abundance of supplies that James Cook was awed by, or the prosperity they represent, are no longer as present as they were back in 1769. Two terms of a Greens/Labour coalition have done damage to Tauranga, and to the Bay of Plenty no less. New Zealand had an amazing opportunity to be part of an agreement that encompassed near half of all nations on the Pacific Rim. The Port of Tauranga - the largest in the country - and our local economy would have been able to take advantage of an unprecedented number of new trade opportunities. New Zealand’s economy as a whole would’ve received an extraordinary boost. Unfortunately, the populist pandering and protectionist policies of this government mean that we don’t get to take part in an agreement which our country played an integral role in forging. I will assure you that with an ACT-led government we would re-enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and we’d try and reverse the damage done.

“It’s integral that come election day, ACT receives your vote. This government is causing real harm to the Bay of Plenty with its trade policy, among many others. I’ve believe that I’ve given solid representation to this electorate over the last term, and believe me when I say I wish I could have played more of a role in directing relief for Cyclone Ella. Our charity did a lot to help out victims across the country, but only so much can be done in opposition. Get ACT into government and get reliable and competent governance, fiscal responsibility, free trade and the expansion of freedoms in return. It’s time to act, New Zealand.”