Gov. Chris Christie is planning a series of town-hall meetings in New Jersey in coming weeks as he faces criticism that he has neglected the state while considering a presidential bid.

The renewed focus on New Jersey—and in a forum that Mr. Christie favors—comes as his approval ratings have dropped back home, and some consultants and donors say his home state record could be one of his biggest challenges.

The New Jersey meetings with constituents, beginning Wednesday in Moorestown, will be in addition to town-hall meetings later in the year in New Hampshire, where Mr. Christie needs a strong showing if he is to succeed in Republican primaries.

Mr. Christie, whose last New Jersey town-hall meetings were during the summer, is expected to cast his economic record as one of progress and to blame the state’s lagging growth on higher taxes and Democrats who won’t cut them.

The governor is likely to defend his decisions related to the pension system and to push for more changes.