National has set up an independent Savings Working Group to consider how New Zealand can improve its national savings.

 It’s a critical issue for New Zealand, as we rely heavily on borrowing money overseas. This means high and rising debt to the rest of the world.

We have deliberately set wide terms of reference for the Working Group. The only exclusions are New Zealand Superannuation, which this Government will not change, and broad mtaxation of capital gains or land, which we have previously said we will not introduce.

Otherwise, we are not ruling anything in or out.

The Savings Working Group will canvass a range of options for improving New Zealand’s overall savings performance, including government savings.

It will report back to the Government by January 2011. Improving our level of savings is the next step in National’s economic plan to boost growth, create jobs, and grow a stronger economy.

More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wide+brief+expert+group+savings+options

Aaron Gilmore, National MP based in Eastern Christchurch has welcomed the volume and breadth of feedback from his recent surveys to the local community.

“More than 1000 families and households have replied to my recent survey, telling me what they think. I’m really pleased with your excellent feedback on what’s concerning you, what the National-led Government is doing right, and what we could do better,” Mr Gilmore says.

“People are overwhelmingly in favour of the crack-down on violent criminals through our 3-strikes legislation, and tougher sentences for animal cruelty and boys racers.

“I was most interested to hear your views on whether the alcohol purchase age should change. An overwhelming 71 per cent of responses want the alcohol purchase age to go back up to 20, while 17 per cent want to see a split purchase age of 20 for off-license purchases and 18 in bars. Only 10 per cent of you want the status quo.

“This will be a conscience vote, and I’m really pleased to have a feel for what our community wants.

“I’m hoping to get more feedback on the planned Preston’s development and transport concerns in Christchurch. In particular, I want to know your thoughts on the Northern Motorway upgrade as part of the Roads of National Significance programme, and the recent changes to bus services to the North East of Christchurch.

“If you still have a survey at home, please take the time to fill it in and send it to me. I’m really keen to hear from as many families as possible,” Mr Gilmore says.

More survey results will be released over the next few weeks.

Friday 27 August is the 20th Anniversary of the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraising event.

Please support this worthy cause by donating to any collector on the streets on Friday 27 August. You can also call 0900 31 111 to make an instant $20 donation, or text ‘daffodil’ to 883 to make a $3 donation.

For more information and other ways to donate see www.daffodilday.org.nz

National is investing $144 million in two research and innovation projects under the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).

The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.

This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.

All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.

National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.

More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan

National is working hard to get more people into work.

Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and outcomes.

Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.

National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff. Delivering on

We’re opening nine Trades Academies around the country next year, providing trades and technology programmes for more than 800 secondary school students.

Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.

The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.

Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011 Employment: A clear focus on work National is

Support this worthy cause at Chisnallwood School starting at 7.00pm (be seated at 6:45pm). Combined performance from Windsor School and Chisnallwood School. Donation at the door.

Queenspark School pupil Mackenzie Smith aged 8, is selling muffins to raise funds for Pakistan’s flood victims. The idea came to Mackenzie after watching the news. He decided he wanted to give some of his pocket money to help the people of Pakistan. He realised what he had to give may not have much impact and so he came up with the idea to sell muffins. Mackenzie’s family contacted the charity Tearfund about his ideas and they were happy to accept the money on his behalf.

Support Mackenzie in his efforts by ordering from Queenspark School.

Muffins – 6 for $5 or 12 for $10.
Flavours – ginger, crunchy lemon, double chocolate or sweet spicy pumpkin.

Muffin orders and payment need to be in by 24 August. Your muffins will be available to pick up from the school’s office on 31 August.

The economy is recovering. But this recovery will be different from those we’ve had before.

It must be built on exports and investment, and not the debt and spending we saw over the past decade. That’s the only way to create the sustainable jobs and higher incomes that hard-working Kiwis deserve.

Because of this, the recovery might appear a bit patchy at times, as the global economy remains uncertain and as households and businesses pay off debt. So although things are looking up, some local families and firms will find the going tough.

On top of that, New Zealand’s recession started earlier than other countries and we have to work harder to shrug it off. Our exporting industries shrank between 2005 and 2010, when New Zealand spent too much and saved too little. 

So it’s going to take a lot to turn things around. And it won’t be a short-term job. It will need a relentless and long-term focus.

That’s why National has a comprehensive economic plan with six drivers to get faster economic growth, create jobs, and boost incomes. These drivers are:

• Strengthening our tax system,
• Providing better, smarter public services,
• Reforming regulations,
• Improving education and skills,
• Promoting business innovation and trade, and
• Investing in smart infrastructure.

We’ve already made good progress.

On 1 October, every earner will receive a tax cut. This will make the average family $25 a week better off after GST changes. Find out how the tax changes will affect you at www.taxguide.govt.nz.

We’re improving the frontline public services that you rely on – such as health, education, and law and order – and the way public assets are funded and managed.

We’re reforming regulations such as the Resource Management Act, the Building Act, and employment law to boost jobs and growth.

We’re lifting achievement in schools with National Standards and more frontline funding.

We’re working with businesses to add value to our exports through the Primary Growth Partnership and other science, research, and development projects.

And we’re unclogging the growth arteries by investing billions in roads, broadband, the electricity network, and rail, as well as upgrading schools, homes, and hospitals.

But this is just a start. You’ll see more announcements from the Government in the months ahead as we make ongoing improvements to get faster growth, create jobs, and boost incomes.

National knows that only a strong economy can provide financial security for families, real opportunity for young people, safer communities, and the high-quality education and health services that all New Zealanders need.