KEY POINTS:
Helen Clark's log: 17-10-2008
Yesterday saw our campaign head to Waikato. We started with a visit to the Ngaruawahia home of 7-year-old Chase Annan, a boy with cystic fibrosis.
His mum Donna Slater opened the home she shares with partner Steve Annan and new baby Joshua, four months, for me, our Hamilton-based Labour MPs, an entourage of media, and George and Adam New from the Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust (HEET).
George had brought Donna's story to my attention. As a very sick baby Chase went to hospital three times with chest infections in his first year.
Donna told me how a HEET retrofit of their home had made a huge difference to Chase's health by making their home warmer and drier.
Donna is concerned that while Labour is expanding the retrofitting of New Zealand homes through a $1 billion programme over 15 years, National, on the other hand, want to axe this.
At one stage, Chase tapped my shoulder and whispered that he had something to show me. In his room, which before the retrofit was the coldest and dampest in the house, Chase showed me his impressive collection of caps, so I've promised to send him some of the many I've collected.
After that it was off to Waikato University, then the Hamilton Mosque and Islamic Centre, followed by the launch of Social Development Policy at a community meeting, and finally Enderly Community Centre Homework Club.
What to watch out for today: Labour's campaign in Christchurch.
Helen Clark
John Key's log: 17-10-2008
A handful of noisy young Labour protesters followed me around on my visit to Dunedin yesterday.
They waited outside the cafe I visited to announce National's policy on the state sector.
I believe everyone has the right to protest and state their view, which is what these young people did.
They spouted all the usual Labour propaganda and misinformation about me and National's policies, not only outside the cafe but also at the airport when I was leaving.
But one thing they said does deserve a response - and that is their claim that National intends to sell assets.
One of them even started running a fake auction outside the cafe. That would be fine if it were true, but it's not.
One of the guarantees on my "key commitments" card is not to sell Kiwibank or any other state-owned company.
If that ever changes, we'd campaign at a future election and let the voters decide.
Secondly, earlier this week I released our plan to invest at least 40 per cent of the NZ Super Fund's capital in New Zealand. This more hands-on approach is so we can invest more of that fund in New Zealand for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
These policies are about growing our asset base - not selling it. That is what the protesters don't get. I'm sure my argument won't persuade them, which is a pity.
One other thing: we want to be more than a one-term Government.
One sure way of being only a one-term Government is by breaking your word, and I have no intention of breaking my word.
John Key
