KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's top chief executives have all but priced in a National victory at next year's election.
Just 4 per cent of CEOs responding to the 2007 Mood of the Boardroom survey believe that Labour will still be in power after the 2008 poll.
But 64 per cent are categorical that Labour will be voted out.
A majority of senior business people (62 per cent) believe National's finance spokesman Bill English has the "right stuff"' to inherit Finance Minister Michael Cullen's shoes, and a similar proportion believe they know what National stands for.
They believe National is simply being realistic by not declaring its hand too early - "Helen Clark and Michael Cullen will just cherry-pick the best policies" - but are looking to the party for much clearer policy definition as the election draws closer.
"I cannot see National declaring its full hand until closer to the election," said First NZ Capital chief executive Scott St John. "However, when this does occur, I would like to see an increased sense of boldness."
After nearly eight years in power Prime Minister Helen Clark's Labour Government has accumulated political baggage and Cullen is accused of failing to make enough changes to benefit business and spark economic growth.
This is reflected by the 84 per cent who agreed with the proposition that the "Government had run out of steam".
But the chief executives said the last thing the country needed was for Labour to now go into defeatist mode. They wanted the Clark/Cullen team to show more leadership.
"The Government has become too cautious in its quest to retain power," said a transport company boss. "The country needs to stand up and take a strong position on the world stage on key issues. The business environment and economy needs an injection of fresh thinking if we are to improve our relative competitiveness - I see nothing that gives me confidence of anything but more of the same."
"Have a real go to get a fourth term, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain," said an international engineering firm head. "But put up clear policies - don't try and buy the fourth term."
Coming through the survey was a strong sense that business wanted the Government to listen to what it was suggesting, build positive relations with business and really engage on the issues businesspeople believed would contribute to New Zealand's international competitiveness. They wanted less bureaucracy, less "Nanny State" legislation, a serious commitment to the Government's top-priority goal of growth, a reversal of all its "anti-growth policies" and a more coherent vision of New Zealand's place in the world.
Among the suggestions for the Government from the 70 chief executives contributing to this year's survey are:
* Move away from bureaucracy and welfare to lower (zero) tax for lower income earners.
* Be more willing to engage with the Opposition to deal with issues of significant importance to New Zealanders.
* Get some talent into the ministries and move out the wasters.
* Stop using global warming and iwi for political purposes.
* Give fewer public sector pay increases, sell more state-owned enterprise, and create clear lines of control for SOEs so they can get on with delivering results.
* Focus on the important issues.
* Take a tougher stand on those who do not contribute to society.
* Spend less, inject more accountability into health and education. Waste less on "politically correct nonsense" and policies demanded by MMP partners.
But several chief executives who had clearly lost patience suggested it was time for Labour to look at a "change of its top leadership" or "just resign".
John Key's strong engagement with business since assuming National's leadership is paying off. Key and English have made a good start, particularly by burying differences over the party leadership.
But to occupy the Treasury benches they need to demonstrate true leadership - "There's been some good signs but they have yet to make a decision," cautioned a leading manufacturer.
Many understand that National needs to recapture the centre and the important women's vote from Labour if it is to have a fighting chance of winning.
But others warn there is a risk about occupying the centre.
"It is still hard to know what they stand for and what they would do differently/better," cautioned a law firm boss.
In the election run-up they want National to:
* Be bold, show genuine leadership and courage. Have a sense of vision that encapsulates and plays to our New Zealand sense of identity. Don't expect quick fixes but set some longer-term strategies
* Make statements of what it stands for and policies that are consistent with them - outline an ambitious vision for New Zealand.
* Show more positive policy options for the future rather than endless negativity about current policy. Engage in fewer petty personal attacks in Parliament and make a more constructive contribution.
* Demonstrate a united and qualified front bench - be active not reactive.
"Just win the election," said five CEOs.
