National Party leader Simon Bridges says dodgy internet is one reason why he has to travel to Wellington from Tauranga.

He is chairing the Epidemic Response Committee made up of cross-party MPs to question the Government over their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While MPs are joining the meeting remotely via Zoom, Bridges is working out of Parliament, and driving himself back to Tauranga for the rest of the week.

Bridges told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he does not have the same resources at home - including internet connection. 

"About 50 per cent of the time my internet doesn't work." 

Bridges also cites hat the media and Press Gallery are not based in Tauranga, and he wants to be part of that.

He says that the committee is doing an important job in holding the Government to account, and being in Parliament is important part of that. 

"I can do a much better, more professional job at Parliament. There may be no Parliament, but I am there doing that job."

He says that it isn't practical for him to relocate his family down to Wellington. 

• Bridges defends commuting between Wellington and Tauranga during lockdown