It may be smooth sailing for Simon Bridges in Parliament - but when it comes to extreme sports it's a different story.

The Tauranga MP managed to flip his drift kart during a morning race with Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain at Papamoa's Blokart Heaven race track today.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges races Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

New to his tourism portfolio role, Chris is spending the day in Tauranga exploring the 'wonderful opportunities” for tourism in the region and connecting with people in the industry.

He spent the morning testing some of Tauranga's local sports with Simon, blokarting and racing drift karts.

As a lover of extreme sports himself, the Napier MP says blokarting is the perfect way to start the day.

'It was wicked. We just had a race, though I have to fess up, Simon beat me. But at least I didn't flip mine.”

Chris believes sports like blokarting, invented by Paul Beckett, from the Bay of Plenty, have a key part to play in the adventure tourism industry.

In adventure tourism 'softer options” are really important for people who are not as keen on the more extreme choices, like bungee jumping or paragliding, he says.

Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain trials a Blokart.

'Not everyone wants to jump off a 100m bridge.”

Chris says the tourism sector is vital to New Zealand and to the country's reputation.

In 2009, international tourist expenditure accounted for $9.3 billion of New Zealand's exports. In 2008, 38 per cent of all international tourists participated in at least one adventure activity while in New Zealand.

Chris will spend the rest of the day visiting favourite tourism spots in the BOP before driving to Rotorua this evening. He is excited for what the rest of the day holds.

'It's wonderful weather here in Tauranga, it's a great place.”