National one year on: Views from the most marginal electorate

Jillian Pipe, Sherryn Newsome and Chris Taingahue of New Plymouth participated in our survey. Photos / Edward Gay

Edward Gay talks to the people of New Plymouth, the electorate with the tightest winning margin in the 2008 election, about where the National-led Government has gone right and wrong after a year in office.

Rachel Flay is a part-time baker and full-time mother. She said she voted National because it was "time for a change".

"I'm quite impressed with John Key. He's coped with a lot of situations. Compared to the last Government, he's quite up-front and I like that about him," Ms Flay said.

But Ms Flay was critical about the reduction in minimum KiwiSaver contributions from four per cent to two per cent.

"For people like my husband and I, a middle class working family, we use KiwiSaver because we haven't got a lot of money to save for our retirement - so that's our savings. My husband put quite a bit into it and it was quite a big cut when they did drop the level," Ms Flay said.

Jillian Pipe is a retailer in New Plymouth and was disapointed that the second round of tax cuts promised by National at election time were cancelled in last May's budget.

"I honestly think nothing of [the Government]. They've done nothing for me," Ms Pipe said.

However, she said the Government cannot be judged on its performance during the recession because no other Government has had to deal with that kind of economic environment in recent years.

Neville Sole is a cab driver and said people are struggling to make ends meet while the Government was looking at building a national cycleway.

"Why can't some of the money go to the backbone of New Zealand? That's where I'm very doubtful of this Government, they don't seem to have their priorities right," Mr Sole said.

He said the Governemnt has been caught out on the issue of MP accommodation allowances.

"It's one of the biggest rip offs around and they've been found out," Mr Sole said.

Cliff Smith is also a cab driver and said John Key is a good leader who "mixes well" with other MPs and his continuing popularity in the polls shows he must be doing something right.

"He's got some good ideas and people say he's an intelligent sort of a guy," he said.

Mr Smith, or Smithy to his regular customers, said opposition leader Phil Goff has his work cut-out for him.

"Mr Goff criticises but comes up with no ideas of what he is going to do. He never seems to have any answers."

John Oke farms just south of New Plymouth at Tataraimaka and said the National led Government has done "pretty well on most things".

He said John Key had "fronted up" on the recession and had done the right thing by delaying the Emissions Trading Scheme for agriculture.

"The Labour Government was going to bring that in in a big hurry. I don't think New Zealanders realise how much New Zealand relies on farming but John Key does," Mr Oke said.

He said John Key has also performed well overseas, representing New Zealand in the US and liked his appearance on the Letterman TV show.

"What he said about New Zealand appealed to a US sense of humour. Helen Clark never came across as a funny person or able to take a joke," Mr Oke said.

Ross, a construction contractor who did not want to give his last name, is out of work at the moment and is sick of hearing the Government talking about tightening belts.

He points to Finance Minister Bill English and the controversy over his accommodation allowance.

"He's getting paid good money, and OK, he's made the choice to rectify it and heaps of them are doing it but why should we pay? Where's my perks? Where's my free travel?"

Ross said the Government should be leading by example, not making further claims on the tax payer.

"Sure they're allowed to but it's wrong, it's morally wrong," he said.

Retiree Frank Loughlin said John Key should have acted on the smacking referendum.

"The majority of the population said: Get rid of it. He hasn't," Mr Loughlin said.

Mr Loughlin said he no longer listens to the Government but only looks at what they do.

"Have they done anything? You tell me. What has the Government actually done? They've done a lot of talking, as usual."

Local barber Kirsty McLay owns her own business in New Plymouth and gave her party vote to National.

She said the 90 day probationary period for small businesses taking on new staff is a positive step.

"Because if you decide not to keep them on then you don't have to go to the tribunal," Ms McLay said.

Ngareo Akariri works at the museum on New Plymouth's waterfront.

She is on the Maori electoral roll and voted for the Maori Party which she says has done a good job working with the Government.

"There have been little gains, I suppose. They're working for the bigger cause," Ms Akariri said.

She said National should do "what they've been advised to do" when it comes to the Maori seats on Auckland's new supercity council.

But Ms Akariri said National is "not doing too badly".

"They're no worse than anyone else. They're going to make mistakes like anyone else"

Chris Taingahue teaches at a local polytechnic and is critical of Government cut backs in adult education.

Mr Taingahue said his students are often approaching education for the second time but the Government cut backs in the community education budget from $16 million to $3m will mean many miss out.

Mr Taingahue said he voted for the Maori Party and is glad that they are working with the Government.

"Any sort of voice is better than none," he said.

Asked how he thought the Maori Party had performed so far, he said: "Even with the best intentions, they've still got to play by the rules".

Manu O'Carroll is a cleaner and also on the Maori roll. He said people are struggling with an increase in living costs and the Government should try to help.

He said the Government should also be doing more to get young people an education.

Mr O'Carroll also voted for the Maori Party but was cautious about passing judgement.

"They're going quite well but we'll have to wait for a year to see what happens," Mr O'Carroll said.

Jill Newsome is a householder and said ACC was a key issue for her.

She said she would like to know what percentage of ACC payouts are given to people with sports injuries versus work injuries and car accident injuries.

She said John Key is "handling it well", despite some journalists being "quite disrespectful and aggressive".

Ms Newsome said ACC Minister Nick Smith is a "weakling".

"He just doesn't seem to have his finger on the pulse. He's vague and floaty."

Ms Newsome said the Government has been "gullible" over climate change and the Emissions Trading Scheme could cost the country a lot of money.