From today, the leaders of the two main parties will write about their campaign experiences exclusively for Herald readers.
Their accounts will run every day until election day, November 8.
KEY POINTS:
I've just come from addressing a lively crowd of more than 1000 Labour Party supporters at Auckland's Town Hall to launch our 2008 election campaign.
It was a great atmosphere with people rocking to the uniquely Kiwi sounds of Elemeno P and King Kapisi, the latter singing and rapping a message for the faithful - "we got work to do". We do have work to do. At the heart of our campaign is an economic plan designed to lead us to strong growth and a secure future in difficult international conditions.
The world is going through the worst financial crisis since the 1930s and our Labour-led Government is committed to doing what's needed to keep our banking system sound, and the economy on a growth path. That's why the Government has agreed to implement a deposit guarantee scheme.
Central to my vision for a strong economy is a plan focusing on six critical drivers of economic growth. Labour will bring forward significant infrastructure spending if necessary, in order to secure real jobs.
The six drivers of growth include education and skills training, innovation, boosting our export trade, sustainability, infrastructure, and savings. Today I announced new policy for education and skills training, and an additional stimulus package for investment in infrastructure, should economic conditions not improve.
Given the privilege of re-election, Labour will move to prepare a formal economic statement for release in December, setting out the steps to be taken to reignite the economy.
Meanwhile, over the next few days we'll be releasing more detail on our economic policy, health and housing initiatives.
What to watch for on Monday: an announcement on student allowances.
