HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE GET AHEAD

On Friday I opened the new Limited Service Volunteer course in Auckland. The military-style residential course is an opportunity for unemployed 18- to 25-year-olds to challenge themselves. They finish with the skills to get a job, and the focus to build more positive lives for themselves.

Last year I announced our Youth Opportunities package and as part of this, we boosted spending on the successful Limited Service Volunteer course. The course began in Christchurch, and has been expanded to Auckland and Wellington. This year almost 2000 young people will take part nationwide.

National wants every young New Zealander to be able to find a way onto the path of success.

BUDGET 2010 - BUILDING THE RECOVERY

I've been getting great feedback on Budget 2010 as I travel throughout New Zealand.

The Budget is good for the economy and good for Kiwi families. It focuses on lifting long-term economic growth to create jobs, boost incomes, raise living standards, and provide world-class public services to help Kiwi families get ahead. It also keeps us on track to rein in debt and get the Government books back into surplus.

I encourage you to visit our tax calculator at www.taxguide.govt.nz to find out how much better off you'll be, if you haven't already.

See a one page summary of the Budget here.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE

Last week Corrections Minister Judith Collins opened the country's first container cell prison unit. The 60-bed unit at Rimutaka Prison was built in half the time of traditional prison cells, and it cost about 30 per cent less.

The National-led Government took urgent steps last year to make sure we had enough beds to cope with an increase in prisoners. With the new 60-bed unit at Rimutaka and our double-bunking initiative, we've created almost 800 new prison beds. This is a great result.

See photos from the container cell opening here. 

FIXING LEAKY HOMES

National wants to help New Zealanders get their leaky homes fixed faster so they can get on with their lives. We've stepped up to tackle this issue, and we believe it's time to stop playing the blame game.

Under our financial assistance package, we're offering to share the repair costs with affected homeowners and local authorities. I'm pleased with the response from local authorities, which means the package can go ahead.

Now we're encouraging owners of leaky homes to lodge weathertight claims with the Department of Building and Housing as soon as possible, so they can stop the clock on the 10-year liability limit.

FROM MY DIARY

Reading a story to pupils at Samuel Marsden Collegiate Preschool in Karori, Wellington, on Wednesday.

On Thursday I enjoyed a day in the Waimakariri electorate with National MP Kate Wilkinson, including opening her new out-of-Parliament office in Redwood. On Friday I opened the new Helensville ambulance station.

This week Parliament is taking a break so I'm getting out and about. On Wednesday I'm in Wellington and on Thursday I'm in Christchurch.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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Watch my latest video - on Budget 2010

BUDGET 2010: BUILDING THE RECOVERY

This afternoon Bill English delivered our second Budget. It will build the recovery of our economy, help Kiwi families get ahead, and deliver the brighter future National campaigned on in 2008.

It's great that we've come out of the recession in stronger shape than many countries. Our economy is expected to grow by 3.2 per cent in the coming year.

But we're not out of the woods yet, so this is a sensible Budget that keeps a tight rein on government spending, and returns our books to surplus by 2016.

We're taking a lot of positive steps. By focusing on faster and more sustainable economic growth, the Budget will help create jobs, boost incomes, raise living standards, and provide world-class public services for you and your family.

REFORMING THE TAX SYSTEM

Our tax package is the largest reform of the tax system in nearly 25 years. It helps families get ahead, encourages savings and productive investment, creates a fairer tax system, and keeps skilled Kiwis in New Zealand.

This includes across-the-board tax cuts and a rise in GST to 15 per cent. We're increasing Superannuation, Working For Families, and benefit payments, to compensate for the one-off change to GST. We're also changing the rules for investment property owners.

Calculate your tax cut at www.taxguide.govt.nz. 

See a one page summary of the Budget here.
See a two page summary of our tax reform here.

BETTER HEALTHCARE, SOONER

We're boosting spending on health by $2.1 billion over four years. This includes providing District Health Boards with more money to improve frontline services for patients. We're also investing more in disability support services and elective surgery - necessary operations such as joint replacements, cataract removal, and ear, nose, and throat surgery. Last year we delivered an extra 12,000 elective operations, which is the largest ever annual increase. Our focus on elective surgery will continue.

See a one page summary of our health initiatives here.

LIFTING EDUCATION STANDARDS

We're boosting spending on education by $1.4 billion over four years. This includes more support for schools, and more money for early childhood education so we can target families in need. We're also investing in vital broadband tools for schools.

See a one page summary of our education initiatives here.

UNCLOGGING THE GROWTH ARTERIES

We're investing $1.45 billion in infrastructure such as broadband, rail, schools and prisons this year. We're tackling bottlenecks in our roading, electricity, and telecommunications networks. And we're providing high-quality and cost-effective infrastructure such as schools and prisons.

See a one page summary of our infrastructure initiatives here.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES

Budget 2010 helps make sure that families in need get better frontline services and support. This includes expanding the Job Ops programme for 16-24 year olds, investing in services for teen parents, and more money for non-governmental organisations to deliver high-quality services. We're also extending our Housing Innovation Fund for another year, and launching a financial assistance package to help homeowners get their leaky homes fixed.

See a one page summary of our social development and housing initiatives here.

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

We're investing in New Zealand's future by putting $321 million into new science, research and technology initiatives over four years. Science will help lift the long-term performance of the New Zealand economy. 

See a one page summary of our science initiatives here.

BOOSTING TOURISM

Last week I announced an extra $30 million for tourism this year. Tourism will play an important role in helping us get the economy growing faster. Most of the new money will be used to market New Zealand as a tourist destination internationally.

FROM MY DIARY

Tomorrow I'm speaking at a post-Budget business lunch in Auckland and opening Albany Senior High School's new buildings. On Saturday I'm off to Oamaru for the Mainland National Party Conference.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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REMEMBERING OUR ANZAC HEROES

I'll be in Gallipoli on Anzac Day to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The Gallipoli campaign saw New Zealand suffer the highest percentage of casualties of any military campaign in our history.

Anzac Day is a day to honour all Kiwis, both living and gone, who served in war. I'm delighted that I'll be in Gallipoli to mark their courage and sacrifice.

After Turkey I'm going to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to strengthen business and economic ties between our countries. I'll be joined by Trade Minister Tim Groser and a 90-strong business delegation.

For photos from my trip to Turkey, click here.

BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY IN BUDGET 2010

National was elected to deliver a step change in the New Zealand economy. We are determined to grow the economy, create sustainable new jobs, and help Kiwi families get ahead.

Yesterday Finance Minister Bill English announced that the Budget on May 20 will make sure taxpayer money is spent more wisely.

We're redirecting another $1.8 billion of lower quality government spending into high priority frontline services - such as health, education, and law and order.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

National believes New Zealand must do its fair share to reduce carbon emissions. That's why the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is going ahead.

The ETS balances our economic opportunities with our environmental responsibilities.

Compared to Labour's scheme, we've halved the increase in fuel and power costs for families and businesses.

New data shows that because of the ETS, the trend towards deforestation has reversed, and we're planting more trees. This is great news.

The Government is continuing to monitor international developments. Next year we'll have a formal review of the ETS.

SUPPORTING THE UN DECLARATION ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

This week Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples visited New York to affirm the Government's support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

New Zealand has always supported the overall aspirations of this declaration. It is non-binding and aspirational. Supporting it does not alter our existing legal and constitutional frameworks.

LIFTING ACHIEVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS

As we start the second school term, it's great that the vast majority of primary and intermediate schools are putting National Standards into practice. Schools have rushed to sign up for workshops to help them implement the Standards.

National Standards are benchmarks showing what children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Schools are required to report each child's progress to parents, in plain language, twice a year.

I know that many parents will be looking forward to receiving their first report. Learn more about National Standards here.

HAVING YOUR SAY ON MMP

National is delivering on our election promise to hold a referendum on the MMP system. Yesterday the Electoral Referendum Bill passed its first reading.

We want to give New Zealanders the second say on MMP many felt they were promised when the system was adopted. We will hold the referendum in conjunction with the 2011 general election.

FROM MY DIARY

I returned from a successful trip to the United States and Canada early this week. It was great to attend President Obama's Nuclear Security Summit with almost 50 other world leaders, and catch up with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. See photos here.

On Tuesday I met with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. We held an official welcome at Parliament. See photos here.

Best wishes

John Key
Prime Minister


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VISITING THE UNITED STATES

Click here for pictures on Flickr from the trip so far.

I’m in Washington at the moment. This morning I had a great meeting with US Vice-President Joe Biden. We agreed that relations between our two countries are at the highest point they have been for many years. We talked about trade.

Today I’ve been at the Nuclear Security Summit, where I talked briefly with President Barack Obama. The President announced last week that the US would review its nuclear policy. New Zealand warmly welcomes this development.

HELPING FAMILIES GET AHEAD

I was delighted to appoint Tariana Turia as Minister Responsible for Whanau Ora last week.

Whanau Ora is a government initiative to help families get more effective support when they need it. Traditional approaches to helping families in need have not worked that well, and taxpayers have not had the best value for money.

Through Whanau Ora, government agencies will work together with the whole family, rather than with individual family members.

While Whanau Ora has the potential to benefit Maori, it will be available to all families in need.

See the taskforce report here We’ll be formally responding to it in the next month or so.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Before Easter I was delighted to help launch the 2011 Rugby World Cup ticket sales campaign. When tickets go on sale later this month, fans can start planning which games they’d like to go to.

The World Cup is the most exciting and largest sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted. We’re expecting 85,000 visitors, and we’ll be in celebration mode next year with festival events up and down the country.

See the festival programme here.

Get information on ticket sales here.

DELIVERING BETTER HEALTHCARE

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the largest ever annual increase in the number of people receiving elective surgery in our public health system.

More than 12,000 extra patients had the elective surgery they needed in 2009 compared with 2008. Before 2009, the average annual increase was fewer than 2000 extra operations. Elective surgery includes the likes of new joints, cataracts, and other much needed operations.

We are delivering on our election promise to boost elective surgery and provide better, sooner, more convenient healthcare to New Zealanders.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

Last week I spoke at the first Global Research Alliance meeting in Wellington. The New Zealand-led initiative includes almost 30 countries. The alliance was formed at the Copenhagen climate change negotiations last year.

Its aim is to figure out how to feed the world’s growing population, but at the same time limit greenhouse gas emissions. I’m delighted that the Global Research Alliance is already working to tackle this big challenge.

FROM MY DIARY

Recently Otaki MP Nathan Guy and I spent a day in the Otaki electorate. You can see our photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/nznationalparty/sets/72157623600518879/

Over Easter my wife Bronagh and I had a great time catching up with school friends at Burnside High School’s jubilee in Christchurch.

Check out my new video series, John Responds. It’s a chance for me to answer questions you leave on Facebook and on my website. Thanks for keeping in touch and sharing your views.

Best wishes

John Key
Prime Minister

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