Leader's Letter
December 2006
Leader’s Message
Rt Hon Winston Peters
One Year of Hard Work
Down, Two More to Go
New Zealand First has just passed the one year anniversary of its Confidence and Supply agreement with the Government. The doomsayers have been proven wrong and instead of falling apart, we have demonstrated that a hard working and dedicated party can provide both stability and forge its own
identity and policy prescriptions.
Christmas Message
New Zealand First would like to wish all our supporters a Merry Christmas.
The value of your support, your patronage and your encouragement is huge and has helped us to get on with the job of making people’s lives better.
Our team of hard working MPs are making a real difference where it counts for New Zealand families and those most vulnerable in our communities. This year we have had great success in seeing our policies implemented, ultimately resulting in real changes which make a significant difference to people’s lives.
New Zealand First extends their best wishes to you and your families for a restful holiday season, and a happy and productive New Year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2007 as we continue our hard, but rewarding work.
It has been hard work for our party at all levels - from our caucus in parliament through to the many volunteers throughout the country. The party has had to adjust to working alongside the Government, while fighting our own causes. The evidence highlights we have done this admirably.
We have ensured that our policy on priorities for seniors, on the Treaty of Waitangi, on immigration, on law and order, and within the economy, among others, are either now a reality or well on the way to coming into fruition. Some have misinterpreted our provision of stability as blindly following Labour. This would be a huge mistake and is not supported by the facts. As we have always said - we are a centrist party capable of working with whomever we have to for the good of the country.
Right now that means working with a Labour-led Government, but working with them also means that we insist that our voice and views get heard. But the facts are that there would have been no increase in the base rate of New Zealand Superannuation to 66% without New Zealand First. There would not be a Supergold card without New Zealand First. We also insisted on a huge injection into elder care funding in this year’s Budget, and work on addressing the portability of overseas pensions is well under way.
We have ensured that tax credits for exporters and those conducting Research and Development, a lower corporate tax rate combined with a rising minimum wage and even a movement in tax thresholds all feature in the Government’s economic planning. Our voice is being heard. We have ensured that a rigorous discussion has taken place on the so-called principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and on streamlining the Treaty settlements. We have also challenged the dangerous views of those who seek to engage in divisive, ignorant and empty rhetoric on race relations. Our efforts have seen radical changes in immigration systems with more to come. The Government knows it must continue to pursue a path of tighter immigration laws if it wants our support.
It is fascinating that the National Party’s law and order spokesperson, who spent so much time denigrating our policy of 1000 extra frontline police, is now silent as the latest recruitment numbers show the Government is taking this matter seriously. We understood that one of the keys to addressing lawlessness in our great country is more front line police. We make no apology for this.
We want to see greater community involvement in tackling the subculture of violence in segments of our society. There have been many other successes which we have instigated. Peter Brown has delivered on an inquiry for physiotherapists in relation to ACC (and has continued to lobby hard on transport and labour issues). Brian Donnelly succeeded in securing a rates inquiry and continues to distinguish himself as chair of the Education and Science Select Committee. Ron Mark sets the standard for scrutiny of the Government’s performance on law and order and defence. Doug Woolerton provides the Finance and Expenditure select committee with a reasoned and down to earth perspective on economic matters. Pita Paraone remains the rational and respected voice in Parliament on Maori issues and Barbara Stewart continues to hold the health minister to account for the efficacy and efficiency of the health system. Your team have stepped up to the plate and have made a real difference.
My roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Racing and Associate Minister for Senior Citizens have been fascinating and challenging ones. They have also been very rewarding. Given the recent tension in some areas of the Pacific such as Fiji and Tonga, it is crucial that we make the Pacific our key focus. Facilitating New Zealand’s ties with other Pacific nations has been of huge importance and assistance with housing, health, education and lifting the economic development of these nations has been ongoing. Reducing gaming duty for racing and introducing the new Supergold card have been very proud moments for me over the last year also.
Racing Minister Winston Peters, flanked by Otaki-Maori Racing Club members, sings the club’s praises as he attends the Otaki Races. (Photo courtesy of Kapiti Observer)
It is now two years until the next election. There is still much work to be done - both by the caucus and the wider party. We must all work together in preparation for 2008. Our track record of delivering on our policy platform is a good one. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and will need a new platform in 2008. That challenge lies ahead of all of us.
Rt Hon Winston Peters
LEADER NEW ZEALAND FIRST
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