NZ votes: party leaders outline their vision to bluenotes

An economic plan that’s delivering - Bill English, Leader of the National Party

In politics, as in life, it is always wise to test your assumptions before making big commitments. This applies doubly in an election year, when each party gets to look at the Government’s books to see what policy promises they can make.

Voters looking to cast their vote wisely in September may want to check these assumptions for themselves - particularly at what underpins the Government’s finances.

The answer is a stable growing economy. New Zealand’s economy is now the fifth-fastest growing in the developed world, having grown for 24 out of the last 25 quarters. The dividends of this growth have flowed into the Government’s books, which are back in surplus.

This growth is no accident, but the result of a strong economic plan. Since 2009, the National-led Government has worked tirelessly to improve the efficiency of the economy, whether it is cutting red tape or opening new markets for Kiwi exporters through our trade strategy.

Budget 2017 reaffirms our goal to keep the economy growing over the next four years, committing $NZ32.5 billion to infrastructure investments, $NZ7 billion to improve public services, $NZ6.5 billion to lift the earnings of low and middle income families, and reducing public debt as a share of GDP.

The reason is simple: It is only through a strong and growing economy that we will continue to grow job numbers, lift the after-tax wages, and provide a safety net for those in need. It is in effect a virtuous cycle.

This is what sets National apart. The 2017 campaign has been notable for the absence of economic policy from opposition parties, who seem to be assuming economic growth just happens. We know it takes hard work and careful management.

That is why a vote for National on September 23 is a vote for three-more years of sound economic plans delivering for Kiwis.

A new economic powerhouse is starting to flex its muscle in New Zealand - Te Ururoa Flavell, Co-leader of the Māori Party

The Māori economy is thriving. A recent report estimated its value at $NZ50 billion.

Not only that, it is tipped to grow at a faster rate than the country’s economy as a whole – more than double in fact.

By 2030 the value of Māori assets is projected be $100 billion.

Māori already hold significant assets in our primary industries:

• 50 per cent of fishing quota
• 40 per cent for forestry
• 30 per cent of lamb production
• 30 per cent of sheep and beef production
• 10 per cent of dairy production
• 10 per cent of kiwifruit industry

But the asset-holding is diversifying into other areas – tourism, education, housing, geothermal, digital and services.

Much of that is being driven by Māori entrepreneurs who are guiding some of 8,500 Māori-owned small and medium-sized enterprises.

One of the goals of the recently refreshed He kai kei aku ringa, the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership and national Māori economic development strategy, is to lift the number of Māori SMEs by 30 per cent over the next five years.

Another of its targets is to lift Māori exports by 9 per cent year on year. A key export market is Asia and I’ve seen the point of difference Māori exporters can offer on recent trade missions to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

That unique selling point can open doors that may otherwise have been closed.

The future is bright for Māori business, but to ensure those economic returns are maximised I’d like to see more young Māori equipped with the right skills, and encouraged, to make the most of the wealth of opportunities that are around.

By doing so not only Māori but the broader New Zealand economy stands to benefit.