From highs to lows, Tauranga MP and National Party Leader Simon Bridges says he's been through it all this year. But most importantly, he's risen above it.

Amongst a packed schedule of fitting in quality time, children's birthday parties and other social obligations the Bridges family rolled out the welcome mat and invited SunLive into their Tauranga home this week.

Speaking to SunLive photographer Nikki South, the MP has reflected on 2018 and the year that has been.

'Personally it's been great to see our daughter Jemima turn one, she's fantastic – we are enjoying her and her personality as it blossoms. She in herself is an achievement,” says Simon.

'Professionally I'm proud that I, along with National, forced a back down on regional fuel taxes around New Zealand – that'll save New Zealanders a lot of money especially during times like Christmas when we start to think about how challenging it is to balance things financially.

'We're also pursuing other things that matter to New Zealanders around the economy, cost of living, and law and order.”

However the year has not been without its hurdles.

'It's been a year of big highs and some lows, but I think I've finished the year stronger as leader of the National Party.

'Obviously becoming the leader was a big high, but there was also many challenges in the process of that.

'National has also worked really hard on things like roading and infrastructure - we were not only planning but had everything planned for the Tauranga Northern Link, a four lane highway, to go ahead this October. Sadly Phil Twyford and the Government stopped that.”

In his home life, the hurdles are smaller and few – and yet each a challenge in their own right, says Simon.

'Getting the kids to all of their sports or music sessions can always be a bit of a challenge, so sometimes in my personal life it's the small things as much as the large that are challenging.

'I'm always trying to be more present when I'm home so we're enjoying moments as they happen.

'There's always going to be that struggle of the juggle but we make sure to make it work by getting in some good quality time together when I am home.

'I'm really looking forward to Christmas and spending quality time with family.”

As part of their itinerary the Bridges will be having what Simon calls a ‘staycation'.

'We'll be around home but we do like to head over to Rotorua to visit the Redwoods, some of the Lakes and of course very locally, it's hard to go past Mount Maunganui.

'I'm also hoping to shed a few kilos by doing some swimming and other exercise and hopefully maintaining a better diet than I do throughout the rest of the year.”

Reflecting on what he feels needs improvement in the Tauranga region over the New Year, Simon lists roading, infrastructure and other social issues.

'We have a growing population and we need the infrastructure or the bones to cope with that.

'There's also a lot of things we need to be doing to cope with some of the social issues we have as a growing city.

'Whether this be things like introducing a Women's Shelter or a Museum that make Tauranga a great place to live.

'As a politician I'm constantly trying to learn to make sure I get things right because the future of Tauranga and New Zealand depends on it.”