Campaign blog: 21 October - Rt Hon John Key

11 Comments
21 October 2008
Campaign blog: 21 October

Yesterday started with me in Auckland announcing our plans to boost police numbers on the frontline, with a priority boost for the Counties-Manukau police district.

Our plan will see a National government aim for a ratio of one officer to every 500 people by the end of 2011 across the country. And we aim for the increase to be seen where it matters - on the streets.

That is why we want the people of South Auckland to benefit, and that's why we will commit 300 of the new officers we will train to South Auckland.

After that, I travelled to Henderson where our colourful campaign bus was parked up for me to officially launch. The bus will travel the country, beginning in Northland and ending up in Invercargill. [Watch on YouTube]

On the campaign trail you get to meet New Zealanders from all walks of life, all with their own story to tell, but you must be in campaign mode when you end up talking instead to Archie the Dalmation about the plans of a future National government.

We rode on the bus through my electorate, stopping at a number of places along the way to meet people.

One of the tough things about being the party leader is that you don't get to spend enough time in your own electorate, so it was nice to be travelling through the beautiful countryside of Helensville stopping to meet wellwishers and spread our message.

Yesterday afternoon I went on to a full-to-overflowing meeting at the Orakei community centre where amongst other things I talked about our commitments to superannuitants, including our promise to keep increasing superannuation payments.

It was nice spend a few moments at that meeting catching up briefly with Dame Thea Muldoon.

This morning I am in Hamilton briefly, before travelling back to Auckland for more campaigning.

John Key

National Headlines: Keeping you up to date

Green/Labour deal is no surprise

National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith says he is disappointed, but not surprised the Greens are opting to go with Labour in any post-election arrangement.

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Clark must cost promises to date

National Party Finance spokesman Bill English says Helen Clark must tell New Zealanders how the spending promises she’s made so far will affect the country’s deficits and debt track.

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Labour admits its advertising is misleading

National Party Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee says Helen Clark must withdraw and apologise for her party's intentionally misleading attack advertising.

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300 more police for South Auckland under National

National Party Leader John Key said today that a National Government will give a "priority boost" to Counties-Manukau police by committing 300 new sworn officers to frontline roles by the end of 2010.

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National: Caring for the carers

National will increase access to respite care for those caring for aged family members, says National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall.

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#1 - Vic Wieland said:
2008-10-21 10:42 - (Reply)

Surely someone from national needs to be pointing out that in not doing wholesale lending guarantees Labour rushed through an impotent package for Political gain and "If they had consulted National their banking experience would have pointed out the shortfalls " ?. This severly dents Labour 's claims of being able to manage the subprime crisis . Regards Vic

#2 - Frank de Jong said:
2008-10-21 11:02 - (Reply)

Hi John. I agree with your intent on assisting Police. However, I believe you could make a real impact on crime by assisting the Police in obtaining new technology, and fastracking their processes to get this equipment. We can help in that arena as we are now. Keep up the good work, Cheers Frank

#3 - Jim Findlay 2008-10-21 12:31 - (Reply)

The only way more police will be effective is if we can start having faith in the police which is currently riddled with corruption and have little concept of honesty.

#4 - Charles Davies 2008-10-21 16:41 - (Reply)

John, good to hear and see (onTV) your travells around NZ keeping in touch with all New Zealanders. Good luck and keep up with the good work. Another term of Helen Clark and the company of the parties she associates with is is too much to endure. We need honest and good governance - policies that you have promised. Go the Blue Team! Charles Davies, Paraparaumu

#5 - Bill Willis 2008-10-21 18:24 - (Reply)

Will *ANY* party really get to grips with what ails us? Will anyone have the intestinal fortitude to introduce policies *really* designed to get people off the welfare system and to educate children that welfare is a safety net, not a way of life. Crime can not be contained by extra police, Crime will only be dealt with by changing the system which breeds a society of people with no respect for others.

#6 - Steven Bennett said:
2008-10-22 07:52 - (Reply)

John, you must be so flattered that the Labour Party are paying to put your face on so many billboards/ TV ads. There is no such thing as publicity!

#7 - Arlene Green 2008-10-22 11:12 - (Reply)

John, congratulations on the campaign so far. One issue that concerns me by virtue of the fact that it has not been mentioned at all by any of the parties is NZ's disgraceful child abuse statistics. Again in the paper today is commentary regarding the court proceedings for the Nia Glassie case. People that committ what must be the worst crime possible - murder of a child in the home - are only interested in self preservation, and as a result NZ has to step up with tougher sentencing. The abuse of children in the home needs its own dedicated legislation governing sentencing as it cannot be compared to generic assault and murder under the crimes act. These children are the future of our country and our appalling track record with child abuse and the "brush under the carpet" apathetic approach we take to it sends the wrong message to the rest of the world but more importantly the wrong message to NZer's. You are going to remove parol for recidivist criminal offenders, at the same time create legislation for life imprisonment for perpetrators of serious child abuse to send the message that it will not be tolerated. Make an example of a few to protect the safety of our children. I am interested in your thoughts.

#8 - Keith Flinders 2008-10-22 11:58 - (Reply)

Pouring money into more Police resources will not fix the problem. The court and legal systems need to be made part of the solution instead of being a major part of the problem and costing a small fortune in tax payer funds. Justice, not law is called for.

#9 - Roger Tan 2008-10-22 17:27 - (Reply)

Dear Mr John key, By increasing the number of policeman on the street will not help much in resolving the crime situation. It is the judicial system that needs looking into. The police have done a fairly good job to bring in the criminals but penalties imposed on them is a joke.Deterent punishment like cannig should be imposed to prevent repeat offences. It is practised in many countries and it is very effective. Be it new offenders or hardcore ones. Life imprisonment and death penalty should also be imposed to those murderers. If they take a life, they need to pay back with their own. Please look into the judicial system urgently as this will give the police better morale in carrying out their work. Thank you and regardsl

#10 - Donna Cole & Jody Burke 2008-10-23 12:49 - (Reply)

Hi John, My boss is in business and is desperate for Labour to be gone, as is a lot of us obviously. We would like to say please lift up your game so as you get in and get rid of Helen! We really want National to get in, and Labour keep digging themselves a bit deeper everyday, but you are with certain things too. All the best with the election and the best of luck!!

#11 - Hannah Chiam 2008-10-23 18:15 - (Reply)

I really am fed up with the way the media (print, radio or tv) keep taking comments out of context and making them into something else totally. I thought that Lockwood Smith's comments were totally okay - he wasn't being racist (I'm Asian myself and I have many friends from all nationalities including Islanders) and Bill English's earlier comments too - when I read the whole comment not just the bits highlighted by the media, they make sense! I think the media must be left-wingers or rabble rousers - shame on them. Why don't they report the truth instead? Hope you thrash Labour, John Key because we certainly need a change in all sectors, not just govenment.

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