Election announcement reaction

Immediate reaction to Prime Minister Helen Clark's announcement of the general election date - November 8.

POLITICAL PARTIES

National: National welcomes election date

Notes from John Key's media conference:

"I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of the election date today.

"November 8 2008 represents a big opportunity for this country. It is the chance for voters to choose a brighter future for New Zealand in this 21st century world.

"This election is about New Zealanders having the opportunity to choose a government that is focused on what matters to them.

"It is about being able to turn a fresh page and put all the political distractions and intrigue of the past three years behind us.

"This election is the opportunity for voters to choose a government that will focus on strongly growing our economy, on steadily reducing taxes to provide incentives for people to build their lives here in New Zealand, and on investing in breakthrough technology like ultra-fast broadband to get us up to speed with the rest of the world.

"This election is the opportunity to choose a government that will concentrate on improving our education system; a government that will run a crusade on literacy and numeracy; and a government that will focus on high standards and achievement so that every Kiwi child gets the opportunity to succeed in life.

"National is determined to get better results out of all of our public services. We will cap the core bureaucracy and ensure more of our precious tax dollars are spent on frontline services.

"In health in particular we are determined to get maximum value out of every dollar. National will manage the public health service to deliver better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for all New Zealanders. We will deliver shorter waiting times, less bureaucracy, and a trusted and motivated health workforce.

"Finally, and very importantly, National is determined to improve safety in our communities. We will crack down on criminal gangs, and we will strengthen the bail laws, parole laws, and sentencing laws, to keep dangerous criminals off our streets.

"The Labour Party has had nine years to address these fundamental concerns of New Zealanders, and they have failed.

"They have run out of ideas and over the past three years in particular they have been seriously distracted by political issues like the pledge card, the Electoral Finance Act, and the Winston Peters/Owen Glenn affair.

"On November 8, New Zealanders have a chance to rule a line under the past three years and choose a fresh start with fresh optimism and fresh hope.

"It is their opportunity to choose a brighter future with a government that is determined to focus on the real issues that matter in their lives.

"This election is not about the past. It's not about the old political battles of the past 20 or 30 years. It's about the future. It's about New Zealand's future, it's about the future of New Zealand families. It's about seizing the opportunities of a new century in a positive optimistic way.

"In welcoming the election date today, I can tell you that National intends running a positive, forward-looking campaign that focuses on the real issues facing New Zealanders and their families. I challenge the Prime Minister to do the same.

"I look forward to the election."

NZ First: Peters Welcomes Election Announcement

Rt Hon Winston Peters says New Zealand First welcomes the election announcement today and is ready to fight for its policies the length and breadth of the country.

"Over the past three years New Zealand First has helped deliver higher wages, lower taxes, higher superannuation, free off-peak travel on public transport for SuperGold Card holders, 1000 more frontline police, tighter immigration laws, saved the Racing Industry and the eldercare sector, to name but a few, all while providing stable government and strengthening our relationships with the US and Asia-Pacific region. 

 "We delivered on our side of the bargain, but there is so much more to be done and so we will be asking for the support of fair-minded New Zealanders to help us continue our work.

"This election is about providing safety and financial security during uncertain times and it is not a time to experiment with any party that has untested leadership and a hidden agenda.

"The battle lines have been drawn, and New Zealand First will hold fast to its policies of financial security for all New Zealanders, the ownership of strategic assets and looking after our senior citizens."

Mr Peters says media barons in foreign boardrooms must not decide the outcome of the election.

"The future is in our own hands and all New Zealanders must grasp this opportunity to decide their own future."

Maori Party: Maori Party excited to begin election campaign

The Maori Party co-leaders said they are pleased that the election date has finally been set and they are looking forward to the election campaign getting under way.

"We were well-prepared for the last election, and this time we are even better prepared and in a much stronger position," said Dr Pita Sharples.

"We are calling on all our supporters to step forward and do whatever they can to help make this the most successful election possible for the Maori Party, in the interests of the nation," he said.

Co-leader Tariana Turia said she is well aware of the significance of the date for Morehu round the country.

"It may be seen as a tohu, that this election has been called on the very date when the Mangai, T W Ratana, had his vision 90 years ago, on 8 November 1918," said Mrs Turia.

"The Mangai laid a number of issues before the Labour Prime Minister in 1936, in particular, recognition for the Treaty of Waitangi.

"Just in this term of Parliament, Labour supported the introduction of NZ First's Bill to delete all references to the principles of the treaty in legislation, and they removed the Treaty from the education curriculum.

"Labour's Maori MPs have voted against Maori Party efforts to put Treaty clauses into the Immigration Advisors Licensing Bill, the Policing Bill, and the Emissions Trading Scheme. They even opposed an amendment to the ETS legislation to protect the value of treaty settlements reached with Ngai Tahu and other iwi.

"This election gives voters a chance to judge very clearly the performance of each of the parties on Treaty issues.

"The Treaty of Waitangi, and the kaupapa and tikanga of our tupuna, are the solid foundation for the Maori Party to advance the interests of all New Zealanders, and we look forward to wide support this election," said Mrs Turia.

Greens Party: Election date - the change we need is Green

Green Party Co-Leaders Jeanette Fitzsimons and Russel Norman welcome the Prime Minister's election date announcement of November 8.

"I hope it will be an election that's based on policy not personal attacks," Dr Norman says.

"With the reality of climate change and the end of cheap oil in sight the need for a strong green influence in Government is needed now more than ever. The change we need is Green."

Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says it's good that many months of speculation have ended.

"All this speculation shows just why we need a fixed election date so that in future we don't waste time wondering when, but get on with the work."

ACT: Election Can't Come Quick Enough!

ACT Leader Rodney Hide today welcomed Prime Minister Helen Clark's announcement of a November 8 election date.

"It can't come quick enough. Kiwis are sick of Helen Clark's ‘Nanny-Knows-Best' – and now unprincipled - Government," Mr Hide said.

"It's time to dump the Clark-Peters Government. It's time for a change. The only issue is whether New Zealand has change of government, or a government of change.

"Party vote ACT means a government change for a safer, stronger and more prosperous New Zealand. A New Zealand that can foot it with Australia – not be a poor second," Mr Hide said.

UnitedFuture: UnitedFuture ready for 8 November election

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says the 8 November General Election provides the opportunity for a new mandate and a fresh start.

"We are ready for this election and are looking forward to the campaign ahead.

"The Prime Minister says this will be an election about who you can trust – she is right.

"UnitedFuture, as the voice of the silent majority, will keep the next government on track and honest, thus allowing it to earn that trust," said Mr Dunne.

Progressive Party: Election a choice on NZ's direction

November's election is a choice between two directions for New Zealand, Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton said today.

"Voters need to choose between going back to the failed policies of the past with National, or moving to a stronger New Zealand that cares for all citizens with Labour and the Progressives."

He said the Progressive Party would campaign on four things:

the retention of Kiwibank as a locally-owned bank providing the best deal for New Zealanders;

policies that care for New Zealanders, such as a $200 winter power bill rebate for low and fixed income households and support for young people;

policies that will enhance New Zealand's economy, such as the New Zealand Fast Forward initiative which will see up to $2billion invested in food and pastoral agriculture innovation over 15 years;

and opposition to National's policies to sell Kiwibank and to put the highest taxes in decades on innovation.

BUSINESS

Newmarket Business Association: Election called - finally some certainty for business

A key Auckland business group is delighted the Prime Minister has finally announced the election date (8 November), saying not knowing was bad for business.

"Finally the business community knows exactly when the election will be. Knowing the date makes operating a business a bit easier. For example, business can make concrete plans around its advertising schedules. That is they now know when not to advertise. More importantly, such certainty generally helps business and consumer confidence," says Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association.

"It has been a long, cold and wet winter for business. It has not been helped by all the political turmoil and uncertainty about the election date, particularly given this election will be a watershed one.

"Yesterday's half percent cut in the Official Cash Rate, today's announcement of the election day, and the pending tax cuts are all positive for the country's economic fortunes," said Cameron Brewer.

- © Fairfax NZ News