Election date set, parties ready

Bill English
Bill English

The general election will be held on September 23, with Prime Minister Bill English almost ruling out the possibility of working with New Zealand First to form a government.

Following the lead set by former prime minister John Key, Mr English announced the election date early. It will be held three years to the day from 2014's poll.

''I believe it's important to provide the country with some certainty and that it's in everyone's best interest to have plenty of notice.''

Parties represented in Parliament said they were ready for the election.

Mr English said MMP meant National would almost certainly have to work with other parties, probably in the form of confidence and supply agreements that had worked well for all parties in the last three terms.

His preference was to continue working with current partners - Act New Zealand, United Future and the Maori Party.

Winston Peters
Winston Peters

Mr English ruled out working with the Labour-Green grouping. ''They are an increasingly far-left, inward-looking grouping, with no new ideas [and] who don't back New Zealanders to succeed.''

New Zealand First was an unlikely partner, but Mr English was prepared to have discussions with them post-election, depending on the make-up of Parliament.

NZ First leader Winston Peters traditionally does not say who he will or will not work with until after the election and he is not expected to change that habit.

 

Labour leader Andrew Little was in Dunedin yesterday when the announcement was made. He told the Otago Daily Times the party was ready for the election and it was good to have the date known well in advance.

The party was well advanced with its candidate selection. A campaign manager and team had been appointed and, for the first time, five people had been employed to help with campaign organisation - mainly around getting volunteers mobilised.

The Labour leader declared himself fit and ready for the public scrutiny which comes with being a party leader.

As a list candidate, he would campaign throughout the country, calling on senior MPs to campaign with him.

No surprise resignations were expected from Labour MPs but some of the new candidates would provide some surprises. Contested selections were being held in strong National strongholds such as Waitaki and Clutha-Southland as people realised the fortunes of Labour were turning.

Greg O'Connor
Greg O'Connor

Former Police Association president Greg O'Connor is expected to be selected as Labour's candidate for Ohariu against United Future leader Peter Dunne.

Known for his strong views on law and order, Mr O'Connor had advocated for the arming of police. Mr Little said Mr O'Connor advocating for the police was different from him being a political candidate.

Labour would concentrate on issues such as housing affordability, health and education, Mr Little said.

Mr English said National would campaign on its strong record in government and would go into the election with a positive and ambitious programme, backing New Zealanders to succeed.

James Shaw
James Shaw

''Our economy continues to grow and diversify, more kids are staying at school longer and getting better qualifications, more people are getting faster and more efficient healthcare.''

''National was also investing at record levels in key infrastructure projects like schools, roads and ultra-fast broadband and was supporting the most vulnerable by increasing benefit rates and investing in programmes to support them into work.''

Green Party co-leader James Shaw said the party was more prepared than it had ever been.

''We're ready to change the government. At our State of the Nation event with Labour on the weekend, we showed what a credible, compassionate, progressive alternative to National looks like.''

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