Ask a politician: National promises to build country of opportunities

I am a New Zealander living in London. Why should I come back?

Julian Rosser

National Party leader Bill English replies: National wants to create a country that people want to come home to.

It all starts with implementing policies to encourage a growing economy, which offers job prospects and opportunities to advance. I want to see success encouraged and rewarded - not sneered at and penalised.

National will deliver a world-class education system for our young people and a world health service accessible for all.

We will ensure there are enough police on the streets and that violent crime is tackled. We also intend settling Treaty claims quickly so our country can face the future together instead of being divided by our past.

National offers the future you deserve.

How will you enable New Zealand to have the highest standard of living in the OECD and how long do you see this taking?

David Hammond

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters replies: New Zealand First has a plan to treble exports, in real terms, by 2020.

We aim to have 6 per cent growth by 2008. Each of us exports around US$3600. The Irish export US$19,300 per person. Singapore exports US$34,700. Similar populations but much better export performances.

We can trade our way back up the OECD rankings.

Next year we will promote a Campaign For Exports; we will amend the Reserve Bank Act, and develop an export guarantee scheme that works.

We will provide tax incentives and reduce taxation (to 20 per cent) on new exports profits, and we will ensure that our exporters can enhance their international competitiveness.

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