Leader's Letter
December 2007
Leader’s Message
Rt Hon Winston Peters
As we enter the festive season it is time to reflect on 2007 and to look forward to the prospects and opportunities of 2008. Let me wish you and your families all the best over the festive season.
Despite its many challenges, 2007 has been a very good year for New Zealand First. It has certainly ensured that we have a solid platform for a great year in 2008. The party is in strong shape, as we witnessed at the excellent October convention in Taupo. Our MPs are performing solidly across a range of fronts in Parliament and more and more of our policies are coming to fruition. But there remains much work to be done.
2007 has seen the very successful Export Year programme, notwithstanding the shortcomings of our dollar and monetary policy. Real progress has been made on this front. We have also secured a select committee inquiry into monetary policy, with Doug Woolerton providing a voice of reason in the various debates around this issue. Doug has also been speaking real sense in his staunch opposition to foreign control of Fonterra.
Peter Brown has had several wins for New Zealand First. One that has not been heralded as it should is his campaign for fair treatment for physiotherapists by ACC. In his usual business-like manner, Peter has ensured that not only is this issue promoted with the Government, but that real solutions have been found. Peter has also succeeded in ensuring that shipping is again an important component of our wider transport strategy. These are but the tip of the iceberg of Peter's continuing contribution.
Winston Peters meets again with US Secretary of State Conodoleezza Rice during a visit to Washington in November
Brian Donnelly has continued his great work as Chair of the Education and Science select committee. He ensured that the Government had to act over the rates issue and that the Minister was held to account. Brian has been an extremely valuable contributor in 2007.
Barbara Stewart has ensured that our policy of free healthcare for under sixes has been adequately funded and has promoted the huge increase in funding for the eldercare sector. She has also ensured that the Government is held to account over issues such as PET scanning and other shortcomings in the health sector.
During 2007 Pita Paraone has ensured that the valuable work of Maori Wardens has been adequately funded and supported. He has promoted New Zealand First's long held view on addressing the folly of the "principles" of the Treaty, while supporting Maori who want to have quality education and housing and are working hard to achieve it. Pita embodies what it means to be a Maori and a New Zealander.
Ron Mark remains "Mr Law and Order" in Parliament. He has ensured that the Government will achieve New Zealand First's policy of 1000 extra police and that they will have the resources and support they need to be most effective. He was the voice who backed the police to uphold the rule of law, while others around him backed the rabble rousers and militant protesters. Ron knows what it means to be firm but fair when it comes to law and order.
Our MPs are a strong team, with many years combined experience and a dedication to achieving the best for all New Zealanders. They are prepared to listen to people's concerns and then take the appropriate action to address these concerns. It is no coincidence that our policy gains aid our children, our families, our seniors, our businesses and our workers. When we say we want to put New Zealanders first we mean it and our track record backs this up.
Now, let's turn our attention towards the progress being made on the SuperGold Card. After the mixed early response to the Card, it is pleasing to see it now becoming the success we always said it would. We told people to use the Card as much as possible and to give it time. Well, at the time of writing this article just under 600 businesses - that's right, 600 - with well over 3000 outlets, are joined up. We have most of the leading banks (with more coming on board), insurance companies, 4 major telecommunications companies, a huge number of nation-wide clothing companies, home improvement and appliance chains, a growing number of travel companies, and more than 400 additional businesses actively working to come on board. The Card is literally growing by the day! We are now receiving so many letters thanking us for the Card and the savings seniors are making because of it. But we can assure members this is only just the beginning. There is more to come and we will keep you updated.
Now as we look forward to 2008 we do so from a solid base. We have begun the policy development process, using the remits from the convention and the ideas that have come from the MPs and others. We also have much of our established policy which New Zealand clearly needs in place. We are beginning the process of building the team for the campaign. The party has a huge part to play in 2008. There is so much work to be done and we each have our role to play. So it is onwards and upwards in 2008. We can look forward to a great campaign and many more MPs in our team. So thank you for your support in 2007 and let the hard work begin in 2008.
Rt Hon Winston Peters
LEADER NEW ZEALAND FIRST
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