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Happy New Year. I hope you had the opportunity to relax over the summer break and spend some time with your family and friends. It's good to be back at work after a relaxing holiday with my family. 

Building a brighter future
I was in Auckland yesterday where I delivered a speech outlining the Government's four main priorities over the next three years.  I also talked some more about our plan to build a brighter future for New Zealand.

We face an uncertain international environment.  The economic outlook across the world has deteriorated since last year and no-one can be certain how the crisis in Europe will play out.

We are expecting this to have an effect on New Zealand, as overseas markets demand less of our goods. But it won't knock New Zealand for six - we are in a good place to deal with any fallout in the near-term.  And it certainly won't stop the Government pushing ahead with our priorities.

Our four priorities over the next three years are to:

• responsibly manage the Government's finances
• build a more competitive and productive economy
• deliver better public services
• rebuild Christchurch.

Responsibly managing the Government's finances
In my speech I reaffirmed our commitment to return to budget surplus in 2014/15.  We're on track to reach this and the upcoming Budget Policy Statement will show a forecast surplus of $300 million to $500 million in the 2014/15 financial year.

Sticking to this responsible track is important because it will help keep the pressure off interest rates, which are the single biggest cost to most households, and the exchange rate, which is good for exporters.

Building a more competitive and productive economy
I also talked about how Government will help businesses operate more efficiently on the world stage. 

During the election campaign we released a 120-point economic action plan.  Much of this work is following through on progress made in our previous term.  Our action plan shows how we are going to be pursuing a more competitive economy over the course of the next few years, and we have a busy agenda in the year ahead.

Better Public Services
All New Zealanders rely on the public services provided by Government, whether it's health services, education, welfare, or the justice system.  Better public services improve the lives and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

We're going to ensure that we deliver on our priorities in these areas.  In education we remain committed to lifting achievement, particularly for those students who have historically underperformed.

Welfare reform is also a major priority for Government over coming years, and we'll be introducing legislation to Parliament shortly to enact some of our welfare changes.

Rebuilding Canterbury
Our final priority is to get on with the rebuild of Christchurch.  We can all be proud of the way Cantabrians have handled the past 12 months. They continue to show their strength and resolute nature.

A lot of the demolition in the CBD has already taken place.  In 2012 we want to see some real progress with the rebuilding of our second-largest city. We are totally committed to the reconstruction of Canterbury and I'm determined to see that momentum is maintained.

From my diary
This weekend I'm off to Melbourne, along with seven of my Cabinet Ministers. We're attending our annual meeting with the Australian Government.  The opportunity for two Prime Ministers and seven Ministers from each side of the Tasman to share ideas on the challenges we face is extremely valuable.

The following weekend I'll be making my way to Waitangi to attend annual events with other Ministers.  Over the next couple of weeks I'm also looking forward to attending events to celebrate the Chinese and Korean New Year.  It's the year of the Dragon, which is said to bring happiness, strength and wisdom.  All the best for 2012.

Best wishes,

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

I'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you get the chance to enjoy some sunshine, take a break, and spend time with friends and family over the next couple of weeks.

I'm looking forward to taking a holiday with my wife Bronagh and our children after a very busy year. It'll be good to put my feet up and spend time with my family before getting back to work in January.

WELCOMING NEW MINISTERS

It was great to see our new Cabinet Ministers sworn in last week, and to see Parliament resume this week.

National's new Cabinet builds on the hard work and success that we've worked for over the past three years. Our line-up shows we're placing a strong emphasis on jobs and growth, welfare reform, and delivering better public services for New Zealanders. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2012

Next year will be another busy one. We campaigned on some important policies and our new Cabinet will get to work straight away. I'm confident our team has the right skills and experience to provide the strong and stable Government that New Zealand needs in the next three years. 

We're going to halve the Budget deficit next year and return to surplus in 2014/15.  We'll extend the mixed ownership model to four state-owned energy companies and free up $5 billion to $7 billion to invest in new assets, such as building schools equipped to meet the needs of students in the 21st Century.

We're going to comprehensively reform benefits and focus on getting New Zealanders who are able to work, into employment and away from long-term benefit dependence.

We're going to increase participation in early childhood education, use National Standards in primary and intermediate schools to target support where it's needed, and improve the quality of teaching.

National is also committed to staying tough on crime, building a health system you can rely on, and rebuilding Canterbury.

Click here to read the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae on behalf of the Government at the State Opening of Parliament yesterday.  The Speech from the Throne outlines the National-led Government's agenda for the next three years.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

I'd like to pass on my thanks to everyone who helped National win the election and enable us to form a Government. People all over the country supported our campaign and this is hugely appreciated. We had people putting up hoardings, delivering pamphlets, making donations, driving people to polling booths, and carrying out many other jobs. It wouldn't have been possible without your support - so thank you.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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VOTE NATIONAL FOR A STRONG, STABLE GOVERNMENT 

I'm on the National Party Bus Tour for the last couple of days of the election campaign. I'll be taking the opportunity to talk to voters in towns and cities along the way about National's plan to build a brighter future for families, and seek their support on Saturday.

I'm urging all our supporters to get out and give their party vote to National. Your party vote is crucial under MMP. Only the party vote determines the make-up of the Government after the election.  Every party vote for National is vital to ensure a strong, stable National-led Government.

OUR POST-ELECTION ACTION PLAN

Yesterday I laid out National's Post-Election Action Plan.

It outlines the immediate and critical steps we'll take to secure a brighter future for New Zealand families in a turbulent world.

We'll get straight back to work on making our economy stronger, by balancing the books, repaying debt, and creating more jobs. We'll also take steps in other important areas - welfare, law and order, education, health and rebuilding Canterbury.

To carry out this plan, we need a strong, stable National-led Government and only a party vote for National can deliver that.

You can read all National's policies here.  

THANK YOU

I'd like to say thanks to all National Party members and supporters for their hard work during the campaign.

In the lead-up to the election I've been working hard alongside our team to make sure New Zealanders know we can keep building a brighter future if they give their party vote to National this Saturday.

We've relied on the support and generosity of National Party members and supporters to fund this campaign, so I'd like to thank you for your support.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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BUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY

At the start of this week, I set out National's building blocks for a stronger economy. A stronger economy is important because it's the only way we can create more jobs and higher incomes for families.

The 120-point economic development action plan I launched works with our plan to get back to surplus within three years and to start paying down debt. You can read the plan here.  

Check out all the policies National has announced so far as part of our plan to build a brighter future for Kiwi families: www.national.org.nz/policy.aspx.

TACKLING WELFARE FRAUD

I announced on Tuesday that National will put more resources into helping those at risk of long-term welfare dependency find work and improve their lives. We'll also take a stronger, more proactive stance against those who abuse and defraud the social welfare system.

Click here to read our welfare obligations policy.

BOOSTING TRADE

National's trade policy, which I launched on Wednesday, is about building our exports in key markets. It includes our commitment to lead at least 28 high-quality trade missions to Asia over the next three years. Boosting trade is part of our plan to build a stronger economy and create more jobs.

Click here to read National's trade policy.

BETTER, SOONER, MORE CONVENIENT HEALTHCARE

Yesterday I announced the second stage of National's health policy. It's part of our plan to get better results from the public services New Zealand families rely on. Below I've outlined some of our next steps.

We'll make sure that by the end of 2014, 95 per cent of eight-month-olds are fully immunised with three scheduled vaccinations. We'll also roll out a $12 million nation-wide rheumatic fever programme, which will target communities vulnerable to the disease. Read more in our preventive care policy.

Under our primary care policy, we'll bring together hospital and community health services to improve patient care. We're extending free GP care for children under the age of six to include after-hours care. We'll also grow the number of Integrated Family Health Centres.  Read more in our primary care policy.

National will make sure expectant parents continue to get access to quality maternity services, such as GP or WellChild visits. Read more in our maternity and child health policy.

We'll also build on the Government's decision to invest $33 million to expand specialist mental health services for young offenders and develop the youth mental health project I set up. Our mental health and disability services policies focus on providing people with disabilities and mental illness with the best access to services and tools they need most. Read our mental health policy and our disabilities policy.  

BUILDING BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES

Today I announced National will continue to focus on getting better results from public services for New Zealand families. We will continue to modernise the way public services are delivered and find back-office savings to put into better frontline services.

Click here to read National's public services policy.

BUILDING THE VALUE OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Today in Queenstown I announced National's tourism policy. National is committed to tourism playing a strong role in the growth of the New Zealand economy. Our focus will be on attracting more high-quality international visitors and encouraging them to spend more money while in our country.

Click here to read National's tourism policy.

ROLLING OUT ULTRA-FAST BROADBAND

National's broadband policy will see average connection speeds of up to 100 Mbps to urban areas and vastly improve services and connection speeds in rural areas. On Sunday I met Chorus management and technicians who are about to start the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to Napier and Hastings. Ultra-fast broadband will provide a real boost to Hawke's Bay schools and the economy.

Click here to read our broadband and communications policy.

SUPPORT NATIONAL'S CAMPAIGN

I'm working hard to make sure New Zealanders know they can have a brighter future if they give their party vote to National on 26 November. The National Party relies on the generosity of members and supporters to fund our election campaign. You can help us run a strong campaign for a brighter future by making a donation now.  Thank you for your support.  

Click here to support National's campaign.   

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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Click here for all Campaign 2011 speeches and media releases

First I want to mention the very sad news that Tamaki MP Allan Peachey passed away on Sunday. I attended the funeral in Auckland this morning. It was a fitting tribute to such a respected and effective MP and member of the National Party. My thoughts are with Allan's wife, Jeanette, and his whole family.

BUILDING BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES

Yesterday I announced National's plan to deliver more doctors and nurses, more elective operations, and shorter waiting times. We'll cut the waiting time for elective surgery and make sure even more people get the elective surgery they need. We'll also make sure emergency patients, patients waiting for important tests, and cancer patients face much shorter waiting times. This will be backed up by more doctors and nurses.  

Read National's shorter waiting times policy here.
Read National's health workforce policy here.

PROTECTING COMMUNITIES

Our plan for tougher sentencing and parole measures will help keep families and communities safe. I announced this week that National will bring in civil detention orders for the most dangerous offenders. They will be held in a secure facility until the Parole Board is absolutely convinced they are safe for release.  This is part of National's plan to put victims first and stay strong on crime.

Read National's policy on protecting communities here.

SUPPORTING OUR PRIMARY SECTOR

I launched our primary sector policy on Wednesday. I announced that we're putting money aside from the Future Investment Fund for irrigation and water storage development. This is a win for the economy and for the environment.

Read National's primary sector policy here.

REBUILDING CHRISTCHURCH

On Tuesday I announced a new temporary stadium with seating for 17,000 will be built in Christchurch.This is welcome news for the people of Canterbury because AMI Park is badly damaged. It means Cantabrians can experience the excitement of major sporting events, as well as concerts and festivals.

BETTER HOUSING FOR FAMILIES

National will insulate every State house built before 1978, by the end of 2013. This comes on top of our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme, which has already seen more than 133,000 privately-owned homes retrofitted with insulation or clean heating. Our housing policy makes sure thousands of families will live in warmer, drier, and healthier homes.

Read National's housing policy here.

CREATING MORE REAL JOBS

We're helping businesses grow and create jobs through our commerce policy. Our next steps include further reforming securities law to improve investor confidence, criminalising anti-competitive behaviour, targeting loan sharks, and protecting unwary consumers.

Read National's commerce policy here.

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

We have a practical, balanced plan for the environment, which will see cleaner rivers and lakes, more trees, more renewable electricity, cleaner air, better management of our oceans, and more recycling.

We'll also continue to make sure our climate change policies balance the costs to households and businesses with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. National intends to slow the phasing-in of the emissions trading scheme from 2013 to 2015. Any changes to our emissions trading scheme will be fiscally neutral.

Read National's environment and climate change policy here.

MAKING OUR ROADS SAFER

Today I announced National's road safety policy. We'll invest about $600 million a year on safety improvements to roads and road policing, to help lower the road toll. We'll also stop young drivers abusing the graduate licence system and introduce a tougher restricted licence test.

Read National's road safety policy here.

MORE POLICIES

Check out all the policies National has announced so far at: www.national.org.nz/policy.aspx. 

SUPPORT NATIONAL'S CAMPAIGN

I'm working hard to make sure New Zealanders know they can have a brighter future if they give their party vote to National on 26 November. The National Party relies on the generosity of members and supporters to fund our election campaign. You can help us run a strong campaign for a brighter future by making a donation now.  Thank you for your support.  

Click here to support National's campaign.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

Click here to join me on Google Plus.
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Click here to check out our photos on Flickr. 
Click here for all Campaign 2011 speeches and media releases