‘Cheap and cheerful rail' from Omokoroa and Papamoa into the Tauranga central city is a suggestion made by List MP Clayton Mitchell as a way to help unclog existing road networks.

Fresh from a family holiday in Rarotonga, Clayton spoke at a public meeting across a range of topics including the Government's Budget surplus, roading, health care, law and order, infrastructure, immigration and transportation.

Introduced by Katikati business owner Lester Gray, who highlighted the recent Government announcement of a bypass to be built through Katikati, Clayton developed the roading topic further by highlighting specific local roading and traffic issues.

These included the toll roads, Turret Road, and intermodal transportation – buses, rail and tram - for Tauranga City.

He would also like to see an independent enquiry into the future mobility of Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, looking at all intermodal options - trams, cycle ways, heavy and light rail, not just roads – and the freeing up of traffic along Cameron Road and Cambridge Road through the lifting of the Route K toll.

Clayton felt the Government's Budget surplus is a ‘paper surplus' reflecting reductions in spending in other areas such as healthcare, and law and order.

He believes that controls on immigration are needed at NZ borders, with a realistic consideration given to the value that immigrants will bring to helping build NZ.

That putting New Zealanders first is not xenophobia or racism but a sensible approach.

Speaking on tax and kiwis paying their fair share, Clayton felt there was a need to flip the NZ economy on its end, highlighting how Apple has paid zero tax since 2005.

He also spoke on the cost of living, the RMA and bureaucracy. He believes NZ needs 1800 more police officers now to deal with crime, and suggested importing police from overseas.

If NZ First is elected in as government, Clayton will see the anti-smacking bill put back on the agenda, and would like to see wrap-around services to help people with parenting and family issues.

Questions from the audience included how to battle news media, as the view from the questioner was that news media are against the NZ First party. Clayton briefly outlined how the party intends to use social media to connect with people. Other question topics included fishing management and organisations that don't pay tax.

Clayton emphasised the need for a bottom up economy where the most unskilled unqualified workers can expect a fair pay if they put the effort in.

He would like to see the GST taken off food, and working for the dole being an implemented policy.

More than 50 people attended the MP's public meeting which was held at Daniel's in the Park last Thursday.