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Leader's LetterOctober 2001Leader's ReportI enjoyed seeing well over 350 of you at our recent convention in Tauranga, and appreciate the 100s of apologies received from all over the country. The expense and difficulties of travelling to national conventions is understood. Nonetheless, the importance of being there and having your say cannot be underestimated. This year's convention returned the Party to its roots in Tauranga and was also a timely reminder for us to focus on our philosophical roots. An excellent speech on Saturday morning by political commentator Chris Trotter provided a thoughtful perspective of New Zealand First's place in New Zealand politics and the challenges and opportunities that confront us. Delegates confirmed the structural changes that commenced last year and voted on a strong list of candidates for our Board of Directors. The new Board has the challenge of ensuring that we have a strong organisation and the necessary funds to present our policies and personnel to the election in 2002. We are excited by the calibre of our new Board and by the progress being made. Thanks are due to those 'interim' board members who have done the ground work over the last 22 months. This was the first convention that dealt with many remits (copies are available from your electorate chairpeople) and they covered a full range of policies and portfolios. We perhaps need, in future, to consider combining remits to reduce the quantity so that we can have more extensive discussions of the issues. Delegates clearly appreciated the address by our Members of Parliament who have developed into a highly professional and effective team. My visits around the country show the Party to be in good heart but it is clear that we face many major changes before we can consider ourselves ready for another election. The work each of our members do in spreading the word and broadening our membership base is critical now - for our Party and for our country. Planning has already begun for our 2002 convention tentatively set down for 13-14 July next year - and we are finalising a venue big enough to take the huge numbers expected. Given the diet of 'more of the same' that we have seen from both National and Labour over most of the last two decades we have to be here and be strong for New Zealand. We cannot be sidelined while our energy, transport and production companies and infrastructure are run into the ground. We cannot stand by while people die on waiting lists and our young people go overseas for jobs and opportunities and to escape debt. We have to bring about a fundamental change in New Zealand so that we can celebrate our ethnic diversity as an asset we share with pride whilst remembering that we are all New Zealanders. The pride of being a New Zealander first where race, colour or creed gains us no particular favour, and where we are all as one in the face of the law. Thank you for your support in 2001, and please join us for a big effort in 2002 - our children depend on it. Rt Hon Winston Peters MP
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