Eating Fish n Chips, and in summer casual attire, Frod begins to discuss the importance of rail, housing tourism and the Port of Tauranga for the New Zealand, and local Bay of Plenty economy

Marg, a Mt Maunganui local: Rail is vital for this part of the country, from Kaiangaroa Forest, to the Port, and the connection to the waikato, and Main Trunk line, without that life line I don't know how we'd be able to export as much as we do. Frod, what guarantee's do we have that you'll protect this lifeline of ours.

Frod: Hi Marg, and thank you for bringing this up. Rail is vitally important to the economy in this part of the country, and as someone who has spent a bit of time on the other side of the Kaimai's it was important to that area too. Labour wants to not only ensure that rail stays as an important part of the Bay of Plenty transport system, but the rest of the transport system, and Labour wants to make sure that more freight is using the Rail network, as it is cleaner but also removes traffic from the roads, reducing maintenance and travel times, a win-win for everyone.

Bob, a builder from Otemoetai: Frod, if Labour were to win the election, how would you promote a wider usage of the Port of Tauranga?

Frod: Hi Bob, as you know the Port of Tauranga is the largest volume export port in the country, and its connection to the rail networks means that its vitally important for getting our exports to other markets. At the moment the Port is near capacity, and so to help improve this, Labour pledges to build and expand the inland port at Ruakura, Hamilton as a way to get more throughput to the Ports of Tauranga. In addition to that a modernisation upgrade programme will take place in conjunction with the Ports of Tauranga, and the Western BOP District Council to ensure that what is causing the Ports of Tauranga to lag behind can be upgraded if possible.

Jesús, a doctor from Judea: Frod, as more people are moving to this area from mainly Auckland, housing has become an issue, and since the council has in the past had a bad track record with the approval of housing where it is not suitable, is this government going to do anything to help with the shortage?

Frod: Hi Ashley, the updated NPS-UD which has changed the rules for density does apply to the Tauranga area, however due to the speed at which changes to plans take to implement, these are not yet in full force. In addition, there is a bill in the works from the Labour party to completely change the density standards of much of the country, including in Tauranga to allow more development especially in city centre areas, without the need for more consents. It is hoped that this kind of development will continue to increase the amount of houses available. Ideally, in addition, the 'Whakapukepuke' scheme I discussed in Hamilton the other day is likely to have an impact here in Tauranga with more housing becoming available to more people. Labour hopes that through these measures, plus work from the Reserve Bank in regard to the OCR, that more people will be able to not only find, but afford houses in this part of the country.

Janice from Mt Maunganui: Frod, I lost my job due to the lack of visitors to this area because of COVID, what is labour going to do to try and bring back visitors as soon as possible?

Frod: Janice, first my commiserations on your loss of employment, I know a number of people in your situation and it is hard. With COVID being such an unexpected beast, there is a need to remain vigilant, however the economic pressures are starting to buckle a number of industries. For this reason Labour wants to promote more domestic tourism, especially from those who in the past have left the country for their trips. If elected labour will be meeting with a number of companies, some here in Tauranga to discuss how these companies may go about at least temporarily focussing on the New Zealand market. In a lot of cases the prices are simply too high to get Kiwis visiting these attractions, so there may be the possibility of coming up with plans for ways that at least temporarily companies can lower prices to a level where Kiwi's are able to, and want to access these attractions, it is important to note the free market isn't a one way street, and if operators want more people through the door, then prices may have to go down. However, we are keeping an eye on whats going on with COVID around the world, and I hope it wont be long until we are seeing more international tourists on our shores again.

Frod leaves his spot on Pilot Bay, where he was talking to members of the community, with most people in high spirits, the weather has really turned it on and Frod decided to have a swim, before heading away to the next event.