Ever since we became MPs, Todd McClay and I have enjoyed good humoured rivalry and banter as Bay of Plenty residents about the competing merits of the two cities we live in, Rotorua in his case and Tauranga in mine.
This culminated this week in a debate at the Pig and Whistle Pub in Rotorua. Todd was joined by David Bennett MP arguing Rotorua’s case, and I had Aaron Gilmore MP with me. Despite a valiant effort by Aaron and I, the local crowd who judged by clapometer (loudest claps won) saw us well and truly trounced. I reckon a Tauranga crowd might just have given us a fairer hearing!
In all seriousness it was a good fun evening. The reality is that the rivalry is friendly and our interests as close neighbours (now a 50 minute or so drive door to door) are and will continue to be thoroughly and inextricably intertwined.
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