Prime Minister Bill English was in Rotorua and Te Puke today, in his first visit to the region since taking the governmental reins from John Key.

He was accompanied by Rotorua MP Todd McClay, and together they visited Red Stag Mill, south of the city.

Todd says the new super mill represents a $70 million investment in modernised wood processing.

In the afternoon they travelled north to Te Puke, where they visited the local high school in an opportunity to celebrate student success.

'Te Puke High School's achievement levels and performance have increased significantly over the last seven years,” says Todd.

'We also went to EastPack to open their new automated sorting and grading line. It's the largest one in New Zealand, and will drive a lot of productivity gains in the kiwifruit industry.”

EastPack has invested almost $25 million in the Washer Road site, including the new grader, packhouse and canopy extensions, as well as new cool storage and refrigeration.

The new grader has created employment for an additional 300 seasonal workers, bringing the total on site at Washer Road to around 600 people.

Although it's Bill's first visit to the region as prime minister, he has been many times before in other capacities.

'As deputy prime minister he visited the electorate a lot,” says Todd.

'During Psa he came with me and spent a lot of time working through those issues. It's not only important, but Bill enjoys doing He's been an MP for a long time and he likes to engage with the public directly.

'We've always had a lot of support from him in the Bay of Plenty – he's sees it as the growth engine of New Zealand. I see his visit as a vote of confidence in us.”

The National MPs at EastPack.