National launch aims to tug the heartstrings

Prime Minister Bill English says he can see a time when child poverty in New Zealand will be almost non-existent, when all families live independently and children will be safe from violence.

In a speech to launch National’s election campaign yesterday,  Mr English said he was proud of getting the country’s books in order and back into surplus but that was not what got him out of bed in the morning.

‘‘What drives me is helping all New Zealanders achieve their goals and improve their lives.

‘‘What drives me is ensuring every child who grows up in our country has every opportunity to succeed. We don’t give up on any of them. There’s always a way forward,’’ he told about 3000 people reported to be at the launch at the Trust Arena, in Henderson.

Mr English was returning to his roots in politics.

When he was first a cabinet minister in the 1990s, he used to talk about helping Balclutha truck drivers to earn enough to feed their families and provide safe and warm housing.

Back then, he even talked about introducing policy which eventually came in under Labour.

Mr English  talked passionately about the social investment programme he had overseen as finance minister.

National’s launch tugged on every heartstring possible.

Education Minister Nikki Kaye called Mr English ‘‘our rock’’ of National, as she took a swing at Labour leader Jacinda Ardern by saying National was ‘‘not just about one person’’.

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, when not putting ‘‘yeah?’’ at the end of every sentence, said Labour talked about ‘‘what they feel rather than what they do’’.

Actor and entertainer Shane Cortez was the MC for the afternoon.

Before Mr English and his wife walked into the auditorium, their daughter Maria had sung the national anthem.

They were accompanied by their son Xavier. And images of New Zealand played on the huge screens at the back of the stage.

The campaign song of Let’s Get Together cemented the schmaltzy start to National’s quest for a fourth term.

Apart from announcing an education policy worth $387 million, Mr English played on the achievements of three terms of a National-led Government.

He strayed right into Labour heartland by talking about reducing poverty, helping people find dignity  and turning practical results for people.

‘‘Through our social investment programme, we’re changing lives person by person, family by family and community.’’

Too many young mothers did not get the help offered by Plunket or GPs because they moved house; or were in hiding because of domestic violence.

‘‘I’m committed to changing the system from hoping those young mothers will turn up looking for help, to going out and finding solutions that work for them. We are moving from servicing misery to reducing it.’’

National would continue to expect personal  accountability, in return treating people with respect, he said.

National’s approach was about faster action, more trust and less bureaucracy. It wanted to look taxpayers in the eye and tell them their money was being invested well and getting results.

Since National had been in power, there had been a 60% reduction in teen parents on a benefit and 60,000 fewer children would wake up in benefit-dependent households because their parents could get jobs in a strong economy.

‘‘I’m committed to it because we can change lives, we can change our country and we can reduce child poverty.’’

●The first leaders debate between Mr English and Ms Ardern will be held on TVNZ1 on Thursday.
dene.mackenzie@odt.co.nz