Bill English speech: Further tax cuts, lifting incomes priorities if re-elected

Prime Minister Bill English and his wife Mary on the stage at the National Party conference in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Further tax cuts taxes and lifting incomes would be one National's priorities if it is re-elected in September, Prime Minister Bill English said.

But he wont be specific about which taxes and says there will be no specific promise during the election campaign.

He set out his party's priorities at in a keynote speech National Party in conference in Wellington which was prefaced by a music video titled "Let's get together."

National has already promised to reduce taxes from April next year by lifting the thresholds at which the bottom two rates apply.

As part of a broader family incomes package, that will lift the incomes of 1.3 million households by an average of $26 a week.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could do it again," he said to his party conference in Wellington.

"Well we can."If we are able to keep lifting growth and carefully manage the public finances, we will be able to further reduce taxes and lift incomes," he said.

"The economy will be front and centre of everything we do because we have to keep the economy growing before everyone can share the benefits."

English said while National could be proud of what it had achieved - citing extra police, the family incomes package, the Auckland housing programme of 34,000 houses over 10 years, the pay equity settlement, and predator free New Zealand - it was not enough.

"These are the positive choices that a growing economy and growing surpluses give us. And we're just getting starting.

"English said the party oppenents "think caring is promising more money".

"But the need for more spending is often a sing of failure, not success. I call it servicing misery."

The Opposition had made its view of New Zealand clear and their policies were just like them - "worse than when they started".

"They think more projects like the Waterview Tunnel are too much for us, that trade is to be feared and housing developments opposed.

"They're too negative to welcome opportunity."

Labour leader Andrew Little had said it was time for "a breather".

"He hasn't done anything and he's already out of breath.

"Their bleak and lazy view of our country smacks of a lack of confidence in New Zealand," English said. "That somehow it's all too hard to be successful."

National and New Zealanders were up for it.

"National will take the path of growth and openness - and govern with the ambition New Zealanders have earned."