KEY POINTS:
National has stepped up the pace of its policy announcements and is now outstripping Labour's growth in the Herald's porkometer, which measures the spending promises of both major parties competing to lead the next Government.
In little more than a week, National has unveiled pledges worth $481 million, mostly made up of research, science and technology policy moves.
National is set to reveal its tax cut package next week and the gap between the two major parties will probably narrow dramatically.
The porkometer measures spending promises that are being trumpeted by the two major parties in election year.
Added to National's total this week is its claim of a $315 million boost to funding for research and science over three years. The policy will be funded by cutting that same amount out of Labour's planned research and development tax credit for businesses.
In the area of research, National is also promising a range of smaller initiatives.
They include: $20 million a year for an international centre of research dedicated to the reduction of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions; a total of $50 million a year for primary and food sector research; and $1 million a year to fund Prime Minister's Prizes for Science.
National will also scrap Labour's planned Fast Forward Fund for primary and food sector research to help pay for its own plans.
Health is another policy area where National has unveiled more of its plans, and they include $75 million over five years (starting in 2010) to raise the number of funded medical student places by 200 students.
Another $5 million would be used a year by National to increase the number of funded GP-registrar training places by 50.
Yesterday National leader John Key pledged $15 million a year extra for hospices.
One of the great unknown National promises is its plan to include a forestry offset scheme in its climate change policies.
However, the party is saying it will establish the offset scheme "subject to a full assessment of the costs involved" - meaning it is not clear how much National could be prepared to budget for it.
Forestry Minister Jim Anderton last week said the Government had assessed the cost at more than $600 million.
Labour's porkometer total rises by a lesser $161.8 million this time, pushed along mainly by a $121 million commitment to invest in the rail network and rolling stock.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has also revealed a so-called pay 'jolt' worth around $7.5 million for school support staff, and $10 million for a major expansion and refurbishment of the Nelson courthouse.
The redevelopment of Wanaka Primary School gets $21.5 million and the Incubator Support Programme run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is to receive a $1.8 million funding boost.
