Todd Talks with Todd Muller National MP

I'm really looking forward to hosting Erica Stanford in the Bay of Plenty electorate this Monday. Erica is the MP for East Coast Bays and is the Opposition Spokesperson for Immigration and Education. These portfolios are of great interest to Bay of Plenty families, businesses and students. As an electorate MP I meet with many constituents who express their frustration at the Government's border policy and the standards of our education system. If you share this frustration, you'll appreciate the opportunity to hear National's plans in these areas on Monday evening. Erica and I, together with Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, will be holding a public meeting on Monday evening at the Welcome Bay Hall. It's free entry but we are recommending that you pre-register at: www.toddmuller.co.nz/events

In the education sector we are seeing alarmingly low rates of attendance, with the number of chronically truant kids increasing from 38,000 in 2017 to 67,000 at the end of 2021. A shocking 40 per cent of kids do not currently attend school regularly. National's view is that every child should attend school regularly; attendance is the most important indicator of student achievement and education is the strongest tool we have to ensure every kid gets an equal chance in life to be successful.

Anyone involved in hospitality, horticulture or health services will be only too aware of the staffing challenges New Zealand is currently facing - we are competing with other countries to attract staff – countries who opened their borders early and who are offering very attractive salary and visa opportunities.

Come and share your views and hear National's plans for these two key areas: Monday 18 July, 6pm at the Welcome Bay Hall.