Leader's Letter
June 2006
Leader’s Message
Rt Hon Winston Peters
If there is one thing that this
year’s budget has demonstrated,
it is the potential of MMP and a
multi party democracy.
I am pleased to lead a party that has
demonstrated just how successful a
political party can be in achieving real
progress for its constituents across a
range of fronts, and which is seeing its
policies make a difference to the lives
of all New Zealanders – to families,
businesses and workers alike.
It is no coincidence that New Zealand
First’s five policy platforms from
the 2005 election – senior citizens,
immigration, law and order, Treaty of
Waitangi and an export led economy
– feature so strongly in the budget.
From the significant increase of $126
million in elder care funding and the
development of a Golden Aged Card for
seniors, through to the $500 million to
dramatically boost police numbers, and
making Tauranga’s new Harbourlink
Bridge toll-free, New Zealand First’s
imprint on this budget is unmistakable.
New Zealand First fought a lone crusade
at the last election to address the plight
of our seniors. While others were happy
to pay lip service, claiming it was too
expensive to do anything real to help
them, we said that too many of our
seniors were struggling and that we were
serious about improving their lot – and
that is why we made it a cornerstone of
our Confidence and Supply Agreement.
The $126 million over four years to
eldercare cannot come soon enough for
a sector chronically under-funded for
many years. It is important to note here
however, that it is not simply a matter of
getting increased funding for this, but
of making sure that that money actually
gets to where it is intended – and New
Zealand First will be ensuring that this
happens.
We were the only party at the last
election campaigning on a dedicated
Golden Age Card for our seniors. Work
is progressing well and we will see this
card become a reality in 2007.
New Zealand First is particularly
pleased to see the increased funding
of nearly $500 million in the police
budget for 1000 extra front police over
three budgets. The full measure of
this commitment lies not only on the
1000 front line police, but also in the
provision of an extra 250 support staff.
While we welcome extra funding going
into the Treaty settlements process, we
don’t believe that the government has
done enough on this front – but like
many things in politics we are pleased
to see things moving in the right
direction.
We are also pleased with changes which
have been announced with regard to the
immigration sector.
After years of copping flack from every
side for raising immigration issues,
the government is awake to many of
the pitfalls we have been raising and
changes we have been calling for. We
are confident that by working closely
with the government we can see real
progress and change. Securing our
borders and valuing our citizenship lies
at the core of what New Zealand First
stands for.
New Zealand First has long advocated
for an export year to give this vital sector
of our economy a much needed boost.
While this aspect of our Confidence and
Supply Agreement did not receive as
much fanfare as others, in the long term
it is likely to have the most important
impact. From greater productivity
through to higher wages, from improved
standards of living through to the
lifestyle choices linked to this, we will
all benefit from a stronger export sector.
New Zealand First is totally committed
to ensuring that Export Year 2007 is a
success.
While New Zealand First does see
some gaps in the budget we do
believe that it is generally headed in
the right direction. This year’s budget
demonstrates that some parties have
matured with MMP and that the public
got it right to reject those parties that
simply don’t understand that by working
together you can get more done. New
Zealand First is proud to deliver on it
promises and to fix it like we promised
for all New Zealanders.
Rt Hon Winston Peters
LEADER NEW ZEALAND FIRST
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