The holiday season is a time to get together with family and friends, and enjoy the great Kiwi summer. And it’s a time to think about those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s also a time to take stock, and a time to look to the year ahead.
As we look back over the past year, I am proud of the way National has worked hard to deliver sustainable economic growth, lift education and skills, get more people into work, and support families and help households get ahead.
The economy is performing solidly, jobs and wages are growing, and businesses are confident and hiring more staff. More Kiwis are voting with their feet and either staying in New Zealand or coming home.
We’re continuing to see improved results from our public services in areas that really matter – such as better health care, lower crime, higher educational achievement, and more New Zealanders moving off welfare into work.
New Zealanders delivered National a strong mandate for a third term and we’re getting on with the job of investing taxpayers’ money wisely, responsibly managing the country’s finances, and building a more productive and competitive economy.
The Government and New Zealand finished the year strongly.
On the international front we won a coveted seat on the United Nations Security Council after a decade-long campaign. We concluded negotiations for a free trade deal with Korea, which will build on the $4 billion worth of trade between our two countries. And we welcomed a number of world leaders to our shores including Chinese President Xi, who with our Prime Minister, this year has agreed to lift the goal of two-way trade between our countries to $30 billion by 2020.
On the home front we announced a housing package to help first home buyers and get more houses built. We passed the Employment Relations Bill to ensure flexible labour markets that create more jobs for Kiwis. It was one of 73 bills passed in a busy parliamentary year. And we approved the first 11 communities of schools, which will work together to share expertise, leadership, and quality teaching, as part of our plan to lift achievement in Kiwi classrooms.
I’m looking forward to another busy year as we focus on the issues that matter for our community, and for all Kiwis – a stronger economy with more jobs and growing wages, better frontline health and education services, a safer New Zealand, and rebuilding Christchurch.
In the meantime, I wish you a very merry Christmas, and a happy and safe New Year.