DATE – Wednesday 30 July 2008

Bridges takes the campaign online

National Party candidate for Tauranga Simon Bridges has today launched his online campaign. His new website is www.simonbridges.co.nz and he has a supporters group on popular social networking website Facebook.

“It is important to complement my traditional ‘grassroots’ campaigning with modern ‘net-roots’ campaigning,” he said. “Nearly 60% of Tauranga households have access to the internet and many more have access at work.”

The internet has become a major feature in the US Presidential Election campaign. A recent survey showed 46 per cent of Americans have used the internet, email or mobile phone text messaging to get news about the campaign, to share opinions and activate support.

The internet has not been a major feature of past elections in Tauranga. But now the people of Tauranga are future focused and the internet has become the major information source. Many people will use the net to make their voting choice.

“I want to take Tauranga forward and am trying to make my case with as many voters as possible. The internet allows me to communicate with voters, particularly younger voters for whom traditional methods don’t reach.”

“My campaign will be modern, exciting and innovative to reflect the city of Tauranga. I hope people will look me up on the net and engage with my campaign. I want people to join me in taking Tauranga forward.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors
Article on US online campaigns
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/the-us-election-goes-online/1228191.aspx
Information on Tauranga electorate access to telecommunications -
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PubRes/Research/Electorates/EPData/6/4/7/DBHOH_Lib_EP_Tauranga_Data_5-Tauranga-Households.htm

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