The Government is on track to return to surplus in 2014/15 with a $300 million to $500 million surplus forecast in that year.

Being fiscally responsible is important to help keep the pressure off interest rates, which are the single biggest cost to most households, and the exchange rate, which is good for exporters.

And as every household and business knows, we need to live within our means – budgeting carefully and deciding which things are priorities and which are not.

National has shown over the past three years that we can deliver strong and stable government during difficult times. We are fiscally responsible managers, and we will continue to be throughout this term of Government.
 

The primary sector is the backbone of our economy. National is proud to champion our farmers and growers. We’re delivering the solutions needed for an innovative, prosperous, and competitive rural sector, and we’re working hard to improve its performance.

We will establish the Crown Water Investment Company and provide up to $400 million from the Future Investment Fund to make equity investments in well-designed irrigation projects that help increase productivity, grow our rural economy, and create jobs.

We have already received proposals for our $35 million Irrigation Acceleration Fund to support the development of irrigation proposals to the ‘investment-ready’ prospectus stage.

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research suggests this could boost exports $1.4 billion a year by 2018.

We are also reducing ACC levies for our rural businesses – including a 21.3% reduction for dairy farming and 13.8% reduction for sheep and beef farming in April 2012.

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=37522

Progress on the Government’s offer to purchase properties in the residential red zone in Canterbury is tracking well. Thousands of offers have been sent to homeowners and the response overall has been positive.

According to Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) figures, 880 residential red zone homeowners have already accepted either of the Government's offers to purchase their property. Of those, 85 have requested settlement as soon as possible and 65 requests have been approved already. So far 10 cheques have been issued and another 34 will be sent in the next week.

The Government believes the offers at 2007 rateable value are fair. There is no doubt this is a big decision for individual property owners and all those affected are urged to seek appropriate advice and support to assist in making these decisions.

Canterbury’s tertiary institutions now have greater financial certainty as they work to recover from the effects of the earthquakes.

The Government has confirmed that funding commitments made prior to the September 2010 earthquake will be met, despite an expected drop in enrolments. Funding levels are normally linked to forecast enrolments, but it is important to continue supporting Canterbury’s universities and polytechs because of the important role they will play in the earthquake recovery effort.

While enrolments are expected to be lower than usual, we want to give tertiary providers as much support as possible so they can grow again in the future.

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=37119

As we celebrate Conservation week, we have a lot to be proud of.  The past month saw some great achievements in conservation.

Lake Ellesmere will benefit from the most significant fresh water clean-up project New Zealand has under-taken.

Over the past 50 years the water quality of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere has become the most polluted of New Zealand’s 140 lakes, and I’m excited to be part of its $11.6 million clean-up plan.

The work combines Government, Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Fonterra, Selwyn District Council, Lincoln University and the local community.

Changes have been made to the Water Conservation Order, millions of dollars have been dedicated to fund clean-up work, and changes will be made to farm practices in the lake’s catchments, as well as riparian planting and relationship agreements to keep the work programme on track.

Recently New Zealand’s newest and 34th marine reserve was opened, the Tāwharanui Marine Reserve, near Warkworth north of Auckland.

National has introduced new laws to better manage freedom camping, which is an important part of our tourism industry, as well as a great Kiwi tradition.

We want to see it continue, but without irresponsible campers spoiling our iconic areas with human waste and rubbish.  The new laws give councils the practical tools to control freedom camping.   It is a pragmatic response to the problem.

National also announced five new marine reserves for the West Coast in the South Island, and an additional 9557 hectares of ocean adjoining the Punakaiki and Gorge marine reserves will be granted protection from bottom trawling, dredging, and Danish seining under the Fisheries Act.

New Zealand is blessed with spectacular landscapes and an abundance of wildlife, particularly our native birds.  We want to protect and preserve these treasures of our natural heritage for the future.

In August we were also happy to see Motutapu and Rangitoto islands officially declared pest-free wildlife sanctuaries.  This is thanks to a huge eradication programme to rid the islands of rats and stoats over the past two years and takahe and tieke (saddleback) were released onto Motutapu Island.

Conservation is about preserving and protecting our natural resources now, and for the future, so that we can all appreciate and enjoy the beauty that our great outdoors has to offer.

<p>Amy notes that the General Election and the referendum on the electoral system is rapidly approaching and asks viewers to really focus on how New Zealand will conduct elections in the future. She goes on to talk about alcohol reform and what the Government is trying to accomplish in changes to the law. Finally, she talks about the earhquake and what is still in store as the Government moves forward in the reconstruction effort within Canterbury.<p>

The Prime Minister welcomed ANZ’s announcement this week of a $1 billion commitment of special mortgages for Canterbury homeowners in the residential red zone. This new mortgage lending is available at a low interest rate to help residents relocate from the residential red zone.
 
This is another sign of business confidence in the future of Christchurch and Canterbury. This is one of several examples of major banks getting behind the region since the earthquakes first struck.
 
Other banks are also making special offers for Canterbury residents whose properties are in the residential red zone.
 
For more information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=36319

More than 6000 earthquake damaged Canterbury homes have now had heat pumps or new solid fuel burners installed or repaired.

This is a considerable achievement given the size of the challenge and the complexity of many cases, where work must be done in sequence with emergency repairs.

Fletcher Construction took up responsibility for the replacement or repair of heating equipment in March, and has delivered ahead of target.

The winter heating programme works with homes where the primary heat source has been taken out of action by earthquake damage. The programme is prioritised to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people first, so there has been a concerted effort to identify cases involving illness, old age, pregnancy, disability or other relevant factors.

If your power is back on but your main heating source was damaged by Monday’s aftershocks call 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) or email heating@eqr.co.nz.