National Party leader Simon Bridges visited Winton and Gore today prior to attending party conference in Invercargill tonight.

Mr Bridges said he held public meetings in both towns to today, speaking to 200-300 people to "check out the issues" concerning Southlanders alongside Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker.

Mr Bridges said clear themes that came across today surrounded the "hollowing out" of public services in the rural region, such as rescue helicopters, policing services, and the recent controversial downgrade of maternity services at Lumsden Maternity Centre.

Other concerns were around growing "environmental red tape" for farmers, frustration with MPI in its efforts to eradicate bovine disease M. bovis, and the feeling of uncertainty surrounding changing water regulations, he said.

Tonight he would be at the National Party's weekend-long Mainland Conference being held in Invercargill.

"This is where all of our Members of Parliament and about three to four hundred supporters from around the South Island come together in Invercargill to talk about our policies and help make New Zealand better," Mr Bridges said.