40 Comments
13 October 2008
Blog debut: 13 October
Welcome to my first blog of the election campaign, courtesy of the Herald.
Over the next four weeks I will give you a glimpse at how National's campaign is going as I travel up and down the country.
Last week, amid some gloomy economic news, I released National's economic package. Yesterday we held our campaign launch in Auckland, in front of around 1000 people and of course the nation's media.
I was heartened by the response from the party faithful. They are putting in a lot of hard work because they believe, like I do, that we have a plan to manage the economy properly.
I really enjoyed the occasion. Speeches like this are a great opportunity to get across our message.
Yesterday we also released the "Key commitments" card, which is signed by me and outlines 11 commitments I personally guarantee about what we will do should we form the next government.
Watch out for this in your letterbox over the next week or so.
I've been on the road for much of the last two weeks, and today I will be in Gisborne as the campaign kicks up another gear. I'm looking forward to it.
John Key
For large versions of the Key Commitments card, click the smaller images below.
#1 - Alasdair Chisholm 2008-10-13 12:39 - (Reply)
John, I can not believe that you once again let Clark take the high ground, over Bank Deposit Security. If I have known for three days what the Aussies were going to do, surely you did, and could have pre empted her. I hope you are not putting too much faith in advise from those fools that were thrown out 9 years ago. It is no use being Mr Nice Guy. You either kick arse or Clark will bury you.
#1.1 - colin mackinnon 2008-10-13 22:13 - (Reply)
Agreed Alasdair: John, labour has broken the heart of our country and the will of many of my hard working associates both young and old. If national doesn't win this election our skills will be lost forever.This is war man, toughen up. Are you going to be beaten by a person who claims to have a steady hand on the tiller but has no idea where the bow is? Fire your advisors. and spin doctors, Its the economy stupid, and its all labours fault.
#1.1.1 - David Fleming 2008-10-13 23:47 - (Reply)
Totally agree. John, you are starting to frighten me. Whoever is advising you needs to be fired. I can overlook the insipid billboards, but Aunty Helen is a fearsome opponent. Please please have a chat with John Tamihere of Radio Live. He has some great ideas and a firm grip on the public pulse. Speak from the heart John, not from a piece of pre-written paper. You have a lot of people out here trusting you to pull us through.
#2 - Soraya Nicholas 2008-10-13 13:48 - (Reply)
Congratulations to John Key for a strong collection of "Key Commitments". As a young National supporter (25yrs) I am passionate about the future of New Zealand under a National government, and I believe you are the person to lead us forward.
#3 - Bruce Ellwood 2008-10-13 14:00 - (Reply)
I agree with Alasdair. Clark has shown she is action woman when action is what is required - with a very solid response to the financial crisis. Shame on National for not making more of this and John its no good waffling on about your work experience in the real world if you can't walk the talk.
#4 - Warwick White 2008-10-13 14:02 - (Reply)
With regard to Crime I suggest that attacks on shopkeepers be deemed the same as Home invasion and that any person defending themselves in either circumstances be imune from prosecution no matter what force or weapon they had to choose in their moment of desperation. Warwick White
#5 - alan Stewart 2008-10-13 14:05 - (Reply)
Your pledge card print instructions go to the wrong place. The pledge card can not be printed on one page so not much use. [Admin responds: Sorry, bad link. For a printable PDF (high-resolution) version, go to www.national.org.nz/web/card.pdf ]
#6 - dexter mckenzie 2008-10-13 14:17 - (Reply)
I would suggest to you that the problem with booze is that there is too many outlets , any one now can apply for a license, to football clubs , to any new resteurant, so what can you expect , what is your policy on this??? As far as hoons in cars , I suggest to burn the car in front of them
#7 - David Rutherford 2008-10-13 14:30 - (Reply)
Well done John and your team. I'm pleased to see that you are not using personal barbs to gain votes, the New Zealand public are a lot more mature than they were 9 years ago. Good to see that your intentions re: that state owned organisations will not be sold, this is just 1 point that the public have been misinformed about. Good luck you will get my vote and anyone elses that i can encouage to vote for a better NZ.
#8 - Sue Cook 2008-10-13 15:48 - (Reply)
John, excellent Key Commitments card. May I suggest a "3 strikes and you're out" with regard to petty crime (NY mayor ran something like this several years ago - to great effect). An overhall of our justice system wouldn't go amiss as some sentences are missing the mark completely. I had wondered why Labour were able to form a coalition after the last election. Despite all the coverage 3 years ago there seemed to be no reasonable explanation... I have just found out that Labour had 2% more in the party vote than National. Am very pleased to see simple bill-boards "Party Vote National".
#9 - Philippa Doran 2008-10-13 15:50 - (Reply)
Blue printing on blue background is not a good idea, it is very hard to read on a computer.
#10 - Rob Goulden 2008-10-13 15:53 - (Reply)
Dear Mr Key Thanks for the first of your compaign blogs. It is very encouraging to see that you and the National Party have an ambitious plan and a personal gaurantee to 11 committments. Even if you achieve even the majority of them New Zealand has a brighter future ahead. I think it is pretty obvious that most of the incumbent governments policies have failed and left many New Zealanders disappointed and disillusioned. I wish you every success in the election and you have my confidence as a voter that ar the right sort of person to lead the country. Best wishes.
#11 - Jacqueline Havea 2008-10-13 15:54 - (Reply)
I am so looking forward to John Key and his team to lead this country for the better. The policies he is going to implement should shake this country up, especially Criminal offenders, Beneficiaries who just dont want to go to work and wait each week for their money to come in the bank (How wrong is that) I am looking forward for a change for the better. Good on you John and the Team.
#12 - Jack Tregear 2008-10-13 16:16 - (Reply)
Hi John, Nine years of Labour has seen the Public Service grow between three and four times, gobbling up the tax payers money in jobs which consumer and totally non productive. The weight of this policy has led to stagnation, relatively low wages and high costs for the person making a real contribution to New Zealand. This has to stop and the electors need to be reminded that their taxes have been poured down a big black hole of non productive state services. Our standard of living across the whole copuntry is lower as a result
#13 - Peter Ware 2008-10-13 16:19 - (Reply)
I would like to have seen a commitment to the MMP referendum - It is the most pathetic way I can imagine to run a Country with "5% party vote 105% ego Winston" holding successive Governments to Ransom - By the way well done on ruling him out so early - even if the SFO cleared him of fraud.
#14 - Robert Clark 2008-10-13 16:50 - (Reply)
Congratulations John and all the best for a successful campaign, you have what it takes. This country's health has been stifled for too long through Labour robbing more and delivering less. Your leadership was a major factor in forcing them to adopt some tax cuts in the first place, may you go on and win and continue helping every citizen of New Zealand. It's ironic Helen is playing the "trust" card, this is the woman who signs paintings she doesn't paint, who doesn't travel in speeding motorcades, and who stands behind any covertly obtained tape passed to the tv3 newsdesk, not questioning it's authenticity, and at the same time saying she doesn't know who's involved. You are much better than this. Likewise for responsibility. Who can honestly say it's a good idea to announce government support for the world financial crisis on "election campaign launch" day? That is highly irresponsible. Once again you are to be applauded for being open and honest about your decisions and affairs.
#15 - David said:
2008-10-13 17:01 - (Reply)
Hi John, Truth in sentencing ... ensuring the criminally SANE are kept in prison for the full length of their term is ONE thing; but keeping the criminally INSANE in prison for an act which by definition they can not be held accountable at the same level as SANE people for a crime harps back to our modern equivalent of the old ASYLUMS: Prison. After all, the Minister of Prison freely admits that at least 50% of our prison inmates suffer from some kind of serious mental illness. And this proportion is growing. We have to be careful that the function of the criminal justice system is to execute JUSTICE as opposed to VENGEANCE. Shutting people away in a modern Asylum is simply revenge. Truth in sentencing when it relates to the criminally INSANE therefore relates to ensuring that these people remain under the provisions of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act for the full length of their term. After all, what good is it that an offender is incarcerated a period of time and subsequently liberated by a parole board without the assurance that he/she is supervised by the State under the Mental Health Act upon release? We would simply be returning to the bad old days of Aromoana! The Mental Health has the dual function of legally protecting the sufferer and the community at the same time.
#15.1 - Biny Owen 2008-10-13 21:29 - (Reply)
Health issues: Under Helen Clark's government - people end up taking their own lives - just when a helping hand is needed. WINZ is so tied up with red tape, that support is not forthcoming when it should be. A friendof mine had his income discontinued without explanation, this person took his own life. My daughter had to fight to get an urgent supplementary allowance - she got to a low ebb and we lost her a year ago. Another family was stood down or 14 months from WINZ without any income. So in our Society we have governance which denies the most needy any allowances withsoever! They can starve or do away with themselves. I support your stance re prison inmates who have mental health problems.
#16 - Tim Coddington 2008-10-13 17:09 - (Reply)
John. Without Nationals pressure on the Labour Govt he Labour party would never have given any sort of tax cut. Without your pressure on the labour govt to do something about infrastructure they would have done nothing (They have done bugger all anyway). Now that yo have announced large steps forward with infrastructure and economic development they have decided to 'fast track' some of the plans they had on pernament hold. You must remind the public of this. You must make sure the voters know who has had the initiative for the last three years. You and the National party. Do not let Ms Clark or cullen get away with any high ground in this area. That moral high ground is yours, defend it ruthlessly. kepp up the great policies that you are releasing and best of luck with the remainder of the campaign.
#17 - Gene 2008-10-13 18:41 - (Reply)
Mr. Key I admire and respect you and will be voting for you but I can tell you that where you are losing ground - and this worries me too - is your interference with Kiwisaver. People are getting suspicious and I strongly suggest that you come up with something that does not take away from this scheme, but rather makes it even more attractive.
#17.1 - david 2008-10-14 11:34 - (Reply)
KIWISAVER Dear John, Helen Cl. is misleading the public whenever she says that 800,00 New Zealanders have "bought into" the Kiwisaver scheme. I and every single New Zealand taxpayer who cannot spare 5%-plus of their after-tax income have Bought and Paid into Kiwisaver scheme. Those $1,000 sweeteners and those $1,000 tax credits that are being poured into other people's Kiwisaver accounts are being paid for by *every* NZ taxpayer. Why aren't more people outraged at a scheme which uses taxation to transfer money from the poorer half of the work-force to boost the personal wealth of the better off. What sort of New Zealand do we want anyway - one where everyone behaves like Michael Cullen and is obsessed with hoarding as much wealth as possible ifor a self-centred old age where they can spend as many years as possible living in comfort and contributing as little as possible. Personal savings should come out of personal income, not the general tax-take.
#18 - Malcolm Rickard 2008-10-13 19:35 - (Reply)
How about some pressure on Labour asking them to explain where all the finance will come from to pay for the things being promised? Seems to me that the "mini budget" promised by Labour will be close to that presented by Labour in 1958 - huge cost increases to cover the election bribes. Dr Cullen said the purse was empty, but now there are millions being promised, How will they pay for a speed up in infrastructure spending? I suspect we are being lied to, just as they did in 1990.
#19 - Graeme Cocks 2008-10-13 19:45 - (Reply)
John, I agree with Alisdair and others of the same mind - this election is here for the taking (and this is one country that definitely needs a change) but it is not going to be handed to National it needs to be won. Liarbour will (and are) pulling out all the dirty tricks they can muster and will promise anything (eg the student allowance) just to gain votes. They will probably retract this or increase taxes on hard working kiwis (non liarbour voters) as they have indicated in a 'december mini budget' Its time to go on the attack ; emphasise what national says it will do - how for instance can liarbour fund its promises to date given that Cullen says the coffers are empty - $212m for students, mega millions for kiwi rail, and $800m + per year for tax credits for kiwi saver etc etc- the bills just roll on and on --- show the country what National and you will do to progress and provide growth - be decisive. The government benches need to be earned they are not given as of right.
#20 - Lorina Leauanae 2008-10-13 20:52 - (Reply)
Mr Key, I am a Christian and believe in conservative views. I would like to thank you for restoring my faith in the New Zealand Government. You are a great example of what we should aspire to and how we should treat one another. For me it's not about getting more money, it's about creating policies that will ensure our children live in a New Zealand that they can be proud of. Not one that evolves with every changing issue. We need firm ground, a strong foundation, a strong leader and I believe you can do this.
#21 - Terry 2008-10-13 21:46 - (Reply)
John. I would like to know if National are going to give any comfort to those who have lost their life savings in a leaky house and are are faced with eviction and bankruptcy because their pension can't pay the body corporate repair bill. It is a real disgrace when hard working NZers lives are destroyed through poor control of building standards and a government that has left owners to recover moneys from defunct building companies, developers, consent companies by having to employ $500 per hour legal help with small possibility of revoery. The only winners are the legal profession and the same players doing the repair work , but with a different name, who were part of the issue in the first place. I hear of older retired people talking with despair as to their plight, too old to recover for such a disaster after a life times work. Suicide is a talking point. Legalised euthanasia would be comfort to some. This is just one sector of the community, others have similar issues that are severely limiting their lives and health. Who ever has the balls to go against the Government's self serving legislation with need for disgustingly high legal fees from people who can't afford it has my vote.
#22 - Muzza 2008-10-13 21:46 - (Reply)
I guess when I am first in the que to cast my vote in Epsom this month for absentee votes, you will be leading. As a knowledgeable banker you were caught very short on suggestions on Sunday on dellivery of banking guarrantees. You agreed with this and whimped about not being advised from the RB. You have my vote, get some spine and facts and once again.... it is your election to lose..
#23 - Les J Hole 2008-10-13 22:11 - (Reply)
Hi John My priorities for the New Zealand I want are: 1. Law and Order: a. Protection of our citizens and their right to self protection if all else fails... b. Lawbreakers first sanction is to lose all rights... c. Break the law 1 = Short sharp shock over 6 months d. Break the law 2 = Prison with parole when 80% of term served with good behaviour e. Break the law 3 = Prison at full sentence term with no parole available f. All prison terms = Hard labour = Work or starve! Have second termers living in tents and working in the fields... Discourage bad behaviour not encourage! g. Parental authority and responsibility must be encouraged and supported in our society starting by repealing the 'anti-smacking bill' which has done nothing to eliminate domestic violence in our society h. Increase our police force and give them the tools to do the job without second guessing them at every turn! Remember - Break the law = losing your rights! 2. Education: a. Back to basics... Reading, Writing and arithmetic... b. Social responsibility... Not rights! c. Trade schools... Free to provide the tradespeople our country needs EG: Electricians, Plumbers, Builders, Machinist, Mechanics, Engineers, d. All higher education... Free but only for courses that produce the professionals we need to grow our nation EG: Sciences, Engineering, Medical, Commerce, IT, Marketing, Education e. Get rid of the education administrators who justify their existence by taking teachers out of the classroom to complete meaningless reports and PC waste 3. Health Services: a. Prevention strategies / Nutrition / Exercise / Balance b. Elimination of hospital waiting list c. Free medical services for our children d. Bring back the "Matron" and get rid of the useless administration that is achieving nothing but meaningless reports and PC waste 4. Social Services: a. Pensioners - Honour the promises made to our elder citizens! - Work hard and contribute for 45 years and the country will look after you in retirement b. Eliminate all other unearned benefits... Our social services should be a safety net not a 'free meal ticket' to all those too lazy to work or get educated... There is no excuse for not trying and then trying again until you succeed... 5. Taxation: a. Reduce taxation to 20% maximum b. GST continues as is... c. Toll roads to provide new roading infrastructure d. Reduce petrol tax to a maximum of 50cents per litre enabling our goods and services to flow again e. Government expenditure limited to inflation growth only f. Civil servants become accountable for their departments and operating budgets 6. Global Warming: a. Man made global warming is a joke and another excuse for a 'world socialist tax' b. Man made pollution isn't... Bring in Singapore type discipline to eliminate rubbish on our streets, countryside and beaches... Back to Law and Order! c. WITHDRAW from the Kyoto Agreement and repeal the Carbon Emissions legislation Will I get the New Zealand I want... Doubtful but if you don't ask then you will never get... And we need leadership to reverse the PC socio-babble we have forced down our throats... Regards Les J. Hole
#23.1 - John B Wray 2008-10-16 06:28 - (Reply)
Law and Order. I would like to see us contract prison services off shore for the worst offenders. Terms of contract: keep them alive. Cost significantly less. Huge impact on crime. Can reduce sentence. Short, sharp lesson. Has been raised before and makes a lot of sense. Education. We have to find a way to succeed in education of our Maori and Island youth and stop them smoking. We have to turn peer pressure around to achieve positive outcomes.
#24 - john montgomerie 2008-10-13 23:10 - (Reply)
I don't know where this country will be if the Clark regime gets in again honestly ! And her plank is honesty-she must be as thick as one; as without listing them, the lies and mistruths that have happened make a joke of this plank- i can't see how her spindoctors allowed it - but it makes so many spit tacks that it will probably work against her with even any half informed voter ! If they knew the talk that went on in smoko rooms throughout the country their ears would be burning. I do not know how much or if any cognisance is taken from public opinion however it may be gathered, but I often say that of all the 'smoko room discussion' that goes on after a big issue arises, if all the persons could levetate themselves to parliament, then they would tear the place down and get some action on some of the fruitloop decisions , it is called revolution! We needed a bit more of the truckers type action re the RUC tax increase aerlier this year ! This election to win is serious stuff as others have said, and in simple terms, with the best years in decades in the last nine, no meaningful changes have happened to education,health or law and order, despite the sweet platitudes that come from Labour now on the eve of the election. This country needs to have a new start date and get all back in balance and common sense. How I do not know but a way needs to be found! My father, who stood for the Waimarino electorate in 1943 stated that the welfare state that had been started by M J Savage would be the downfall of the country and about three generations later look what we have-contributing to a lack of education, morals, respect , law and order and the results of, it is a new industry fed by wasted megabucks We do not have the country we want or need, somehow National needs to make it Nov 8th. John Montgomerie.
#25 - Paul 2008-10-13 23:45 - (Reply)
Hi John , I saw you at the Auckland campaign launch on Sunday .Instead of saying if we win the next election you should say when we win the next election . It was a great speech and can hardly wait to see National win the next Election .Have a look at the Labours web site ,it has you on it and Helen is saying a lot of bad things about you . Apart from this hope you have a good positive campaign and good luck . Regards ,Paul
#26 - Greg 2008-10-14 01:57 - (Reply)
Labour is eroding into the National vote because your policies are not being accepted. Neither is your cirticism of Labour being accepted. The new Tax policy in my mind is ok. However you are letting the media and Labour distort the message and this is reflecting poorly on National. Other than moderate tax cuts their is little for people to get enthusiatic about in national policies thus far. In fact the R&D cuts are seen as inimical to economic development. Surely there are less contentious ares that could be highlighted in reducing expenditure. Lets get real. There needs to be radical change to this profigate govt. They have squandered tax payer money on bureacratic expansion that is crowding out the private sector. What we need going forward is less Govt expenditure, and lower tax rates if we are going to be able to get this country through the tough times ahead. Natioanl need to focus on these issues and not be afraid of statinjg that not only will 265million of proposed Foreign Afairs be stopped but there will be a 25% cut in existing expenditure. Youth Affiars, Womens Affairs and many other nonesense Govt departments will be closed with consequent savings. Lets get real and state catagorically that unless we have a change in Labour policies we will go down the toilet for they, Labour, will emperil the country with their economic policies. Would anyone in their right mind in business retain these people in the company if they delivered to the shareholders the results that this Labour Govt has. Focus on the main issues, expand on the areas that you will cut and highlight the economic resons why no one in their right mind can vote for a Govt that cant even give the tax paying nation a break when we have had 9 yrs of the best economic climate this country has faced. We need facts and focus and there needs to be a conviction. Highlight the differences and dont let these political thieves get away with their dishonestry in the presentation of the policies. Good luck and lets make this election a watershed for the country in National's efforts to turn us around from the path to third world status which Labour is inexorably leading us.
#27 - David said:
2008-10-14 05:39 - (Reply)
NATIONAL PARTY POLICING POLICY Any National Party Policing Policy should include a commitment to excellence. The current Government's commitment to DUMMING DOWN the Police force is UNACCEPTABLE. By that I mean that the New Zealand Police's feeble excuse at NOT incorporating compulsory ongoing education for Police Officers because it waould "discourage potential officers from joining" is just NOT acceptable. When are the Police going to wake up? EVERY OTHER profession worth their salt has ongoing education!! Is it any wonder we get killings involving the police simply because they DON'T know how to handle crisis situations. WOULD YOU THE PUBLIC ACCEPT THESE CIRCUMSTANCES? I bet not!
#28 - Scott Alexander 2008-10-14 08:40 - (Reply)
I am a small business owner & after xmas was employing a full time staff of 8 & 1 diploma student part time. I am now down to 3 full-timers..having committed myself to them & their needs. BUT, we are struggling to get work, certainly I would not have the time to be submitting this if we had. Like most local businesses we hit a brick wall in June when it got wet. It seems to be that govt. recognition of what is really happening in the economy is far too late. Raising interest rates by the RB when petrol taxes were already dampening the economy was a foolish & counter productive to reducing them now when it could be far too late. As a small business owner I have not seen any comment about the impact your adjustments to Kiwisaver will have on us. We cannot give ourselves as owners a tax free 2% dividend... so how can we give that to our employees? If you are serious about this country saving then Kiwi saver should be compulsory for all those on incomes below 50k & be done with it. What contribution the employer makes in this case needs discussion.You have nearly lost my support over this one..if the alternative was not so grave I would walk. Regards, Scott Alexander.
#29 - David Fleming 2008-10-14 09:33 - (Reply)
John, you have a chance tonight to regain some ground lost. Here is an opportunity to blast Aunty Helen out of the water. Please do not do the expected and end up in an argument with her that you will not win. Bring some NEW ammunition to the discussion that she will not be aware of and will not have a predetermined response to. Maybe you could use the opportunity to release some NEW policy. Think outside the square, you have lots of us out here that are behind you. Do the unexpected.....Good Luck.
#30 - Suzanne Shearer-West 2008-10-14 09:59 - (Reply)
You are doing a great job John. Don't let Helen bother you . She is digging bigger holes for herself on a daily basis. The more she panics the more in control you look. Am looking forward to tonight's debate. Please do not both speak at the same time . I had to switch chanells last election as I couldnt' hear a word either was saying. Thanks for all your hard work. Suzanne
#31 - David said:
2008-10-14 11:10 - (Reply)
TO THE PUBLIC: - Ever heard of the "revolving door sydrome" where the mentally ill are concerned? Ever wonder why it happens? I know why, and I'll tell you why ... because whilst most patients have legal representation when the family court judges are considering whether to release them from the Mental Health Act, doctors do not!! And why not? Because the Government has strapped District Health Board funding for legal representation and THAT is THIS government's policy!!
#32 - C Blunden 2008-10-14 12:54 - (Reply)
Would you please tell me what you intend to do with the following; Kiwi Bank, Kiwi Rail, M M P, Pensions. Thank you.
#33 - David said:
2008-10-14 13:41 - (Reply)
MICHAEL CULLEN: - Michael is a classic example of someone who simply does NOT understand that it is "entrepreneurs" who provide the cornerstone for the New Zealand economy, not Employees! Remember his remark that John Key was quote a "rich *******?" Well anyone expressing those thoughts is not only irresponsible and insulting besides, but they are also hypocritical as they are expressing an "employee mindset". Why hypocritical? Because every employee expressing that very view is also wanting pay rises every year. Some in excess of $100,000 when that pay rise is simply for their/their own family's benefit - no one elses. They forget that it is the entrepreneur's responsibility on the other hand to provide jobs for many other people. That is NOT selfish! Michael could take a few leafs out of the "good book" on how to behave himself in public, and learn how not to be selfish for once. Look at how he has handled the nation's books! Possibly he needs a few more skills than he has ... skills that ONLY an entrepreneur would have.
#34 - Phil Martell, Chairman Ascot/Meadowbank BR -Tamaki 2008-10-14 23:46 - (Reply)
I felt that what we saw on Sunday was John Key with the 'governor' removed. He's been held back! Now he's away and well be able to see his top speed! Tonight John on the leaders debate was top performance and the comments of Therese Arseneau and the public poll reflect this. Well done - roll on 8th November so he can get on with it!
#35 - BOB BROOKS 2008-10-16 09:45 - (Reply)
Has anyone checked to see if kiwisaver contributions to the I R D have been seperated out from the Tax take. If the payments have been shown as revenue the books would be way out, The I R D seems to be consistently saying that they have not got the monry as the employers are sitting on it. BOB
