Key Notes No.27

On Wednesday I posted a new video on my Facebook page thanking the 1,400 supporters who had already signed up. Already, hundreds have posted messages and many of the comments have been helpful. I hope you keep them coming. Together with the comments on my website they help give me a sense of your frustrations and your hopes, and what National can do to build a better New Zealand.

So please keep contributing. And if you haven't already visited my Facebook page, please check it out and sign up. I look forward to seeing you online.

YOUTH PLAN

I had a fascinating day in Wanganui this week looking at youth education and justice initiatives in the city. This was a follow-up to my State of the Nation speech, where I unveiled National's Youth Plan.

We visited the Gonville Community Police Station and learnt about the "Life to the Max" programme, which is helping young offenders step away from a life of crime. We went to the Wai Ora Christian Community Trust, the Youth Services Trust, and the YMCA to see how they help out young people in need. And we visited Land Based Training, which provides a range of practical courses in areas from agriculture to traffic management.

It was a great insight to the challenges we face helping young people succeed, and what community groups can achieve when you combine ingenuity, optimism, and a truckload of hard work.

I'd like to thank everyone who took time to show me around and tell me a little bit about their work. It's great to see so many people with so many good ideas getting stuck in, and I'm confident that the policies we have announced in our Youth Plan will help make a real difference in our communities.

THE EXCHANGE RATE

The New Zealand dollar is at a post-float high again, at well over US 80 cents, and with rising interest rates and growing fuel prices, our exporters are really feeling the pinch. This has some serious implications for our economy. Watch my comment on the dollar and the economic outlook here.

LOOKING AHEAD

I try not to comment too much on the polls, but as I've been travelling around the electorate it's clear that people are enthusiastic about our progress, and that the mood for change is growing.

Our team has had a great start to the year but there is a long way to go. We can't afford, for even a moment, to get distracted from rolling out our programme to build a better New Zealand. That will remain our focus until the election and beyond. Your help and your support will be essential every step of the way.

Kind regards,


John Key MP
Leader of the National Party 

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