There are now over 3100 warmer, drier homes in Tauranga thanks to National's Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme.

This work has come at a cost of over $3.7 million, says Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

'Homes here in Tauranga have been retrofitted with insulation and/or new and more efficient heating such as heat pumps since the scheme started in 2009,” says Simon.

'This is fantastic news as we look towards another winter here.

'I'm pleased people are thinking ahead and getting their homes insulated now because a warm, dry home can make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of our families.

'Even better, we have estimated 2000 Kiwis are working full time thanks to this programme.

'That is private sector installers who have been kept busy thanks to our investment.

'Investing in home insulation makes sense from a health point of view and is the right type of boost our economy needs to keep jobs through the downturn.”

National has committed $347 million to the Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart scheme over four years. More than 89,000 homes nationally have benefited so far.