KEY POINTS:
Community agencies that met National Party leader John Key on the eve of his first big speech have welcomed his intention to focus on the emerging underclass.
They say they will watch with interest what he puts on the table today to back up his words.
Mr Key spent the day in Christchurch in the lead-up to his speech today at his former secondary school, Burnside High.
His day yesterday included a luncheon with the Christchurch City Mission and the Family Help Trust, which works with parents who have come from backgrounds of crime, family violence or drug or alcohol problems.
A relaxed-looking Mr Key told the trust he had come to learn about what the group was doing and to "get a sense" of the issues. In today's speech, he had chosen to focus on "what we see as an emerging underclass, and the real concern we have about that".
"It's an issue all New Zealanders need to take ownership of," he said.
The speech would offer a blueprint to solving the problems "that is different from Labour's".
"It will be a combination of carrot and stick because I think both are required."
Family Help Trust director Libby Robbins told the Herald she was encouraged that Mr Key wanted to understand the issues facing those struggling in society.
"He doesn't seem to be wanting to write them off.
"He doesn't seem to be saying they don't exist. He wants to understand ... what stops them succeeding in their lives.
"But politicians say a lot in opposition and the issue is whether they can actually deliver.
"The proof is in the pudding."
Christchurch City Missioner Michael Gorman said he was delighted notice was being taken of the most marginalised people in society.
"The longer people are allowed to be marginalised, the worse society's problems get."
However, he hoped Mr Key's speech would be the start of a positive change, and was not just political points-scoring.
"I hope that it will inspire the present Government to act more."
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Michael Cullen yesterday scoffed at the theme Mr Key has chosen for his speech.
"I'm not sure what he means by a 'growing underclass' given the falling levels of unemployment, the rising levels of skills acquiring, the growing levels of household wealth and growing real wages," Dr Cullen said.
Such a speech might have been appropriate about seven years ago, he said, referring to the end of National's last term of Government.
Education Minister Steve Maharey said Mr Key's speech would be a test of whether National had any genuinely new policies to offer.
Complex issues facing New Zealand required effective policy, not soundbites and talk of hope.
"That doesn't mean re-packaging the failed policies of the 1990s, such as work-for-the-dole," he said.
additional reporting Audrey Young
