Jan Tinetti Labour MP

I'm sure many of you have heard our borders will soon be reopening to tourists – first from Australia, then from elsewhere in the world. Our economic recovery is gaining momentum, and the return of tourism is the next big step. I know people here and around New Zealand will be looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family; and it's great news for our local businesses because tourism is incredibly important for our region.

Closing our borders to keep Covid out helped save thousands of lives. Now, we are well-positioned to safely reopen, giving a boost to our regions as we press on with our recovery. Bringing the timeline for reopening our borders forward will ensure we are open for the Australian school holidays and the Easter-Anzac break, and well in advance of our 2022 ski season. Good times ahead!

Our strong Covid response means our businesses are set up to bounce back faster than almost anywhere else in the world. It has also made us a highly desirable travel destination.

To jump-start demand across the Tasman, we're rolling out a new tourism marketing campaign in Australia, highlighting some of the most popular experiences in our beautiful country.

We know traveller numbers will take time to rebound, but this reopening will be a welcome boost for our tourism operators – many of whom have done it incredibly tough during the past two years.

Welcoming tourists back is the next step in our plan reconnecting plan. It will help accelerate our economic recovery, which is already gathering pace. Unemployment is at a record low, exports are up, and GDP is growing. With tourism back up and running our export capacity will also increase, providing a boost to the primary sector and helping to lock in the economic gains we've made.

Supply chain issues and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have had an impact on countries worldwide – and I know the resulting cost-of-living pressures are hitting some families in Tauranga hard. We've taken action to make fuel affordable for Kiwis, and more relief is coming in April and May, with Working for Families and Superannuation seeing increases, and the Winter Energy Payment kicking in.

Farewell Simon

Like many here in Tauranga I was taken by surprise at Simon Bridges' announcement that he will be resigning from politics and vacating the Tauranga seat to take on new business and media opportunities. I would like to take this opportunity to farewell Simon and his family and wish them all the best for their future endeavours wherever that might be.