We started paying into the Super Fund again, to help keep superannuation affordable long into the future.
We’ve stopped the state house sell-off, we’ve made post-secondary school education more affordable, we’ve launched our mental health review, and we’ve kept our promise to the families of the miners who died at Pike River.
We’ve done all that and more inside 100 days, and we’re just getting started.
Some people have said that’s more than National managed in nine years. That’s down to the “Let’s do this” attitude Jacinda brings to solving problems, along with the really strong contributions from our governing partners New Zealand First and the Greens.
Together, our parties are laying the foundation for a stable government that gets things done for Kiwis and helps more share in our prosperity.
Over the coming year, you’ll see much more action from us. You’ll see big boosts to investment in health, education, housing and transport. That means more teachers for Kiwi kids, better healthcare across the country, the first affordable KiwiBuild homes going up, and increased investment in safety on our roads.
It’s all about making a real difference to people’s lives. You’re already starting to see the signs of improvement with a story in this paper of students appreciating the extra $50 a week they will get in student allowances.
It has been so good to see people from throughout our community — whether it’s councils, iwi, businesses, not-for-profit organisations, or ordinary Kiwis — coming forward with their ideas for what we can do to improve things.
For a long time, it seemed like no one in government was listening, but I know Jacinda’s team is ready to work with anyone who wants to make a positive contribution.
That includes the National Opposition. In December, Jacinda reached out to Bill English to seek a political consensus on fighting child poverty. My hope is that we can put differences aside to work for a better future for all our children.
Our first 100 days have laid the groundwork, but it’s in the next 1000 days that we can give everyone a great opportunity to build a better, fairer New Zealand.
By the next election, we will be seeing real improvements in the lives of our families. We’ll have higher incomes. More of us will own our own homes. We’ll have better access to education and to healthcare. We’ll have greener, safer, more reliable transport. And we’ll have so much more to celebrate besides.
I’m really excited to work to make that vision a reality, especially for the unemployed youth in the Gisborne area who will be able to go to work with mentors and supporters under our new Regional Employment Scheme.
I know Jacinda and her team are up for working hard for all New Zealanders. I hope you’ll back us and work with us, too.
