Key Notes Number 7

Key Notes Number 7

23 March 2007

Welcome to the latest edition of Key Notes, my regular e-newsletter.

Today I launched my new interactive website, www.johnkey.co.nz. The internet offers a unique opportunity for everyone to join the conversation with their politicians directly. I'll be posting regular videos and comments.

I welcome your comments and feedback. You can post directly on the site or by emailing me.

I gave a speech on Monday last week at a symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a united Europe, firstly as the European Economic Community and more recently as the European Union. It was a chance to think about the links between Europe and New Zealand and how they have changed over those 50 years.
Undeniably we are a much less European country than we were 50 years ago.

A much larger proportion of the population identify themselves as Maori, as Pacific or as Asian New Zealanders. And European New Zealanders now do not identify with Europe, and call it "home", as they once did. I am a case in point because although both of my parents were born in Europe I consider myself a New Zealander through and through.

What really pleases me is that we have been developing, and will continue to develop, a unique New Zealand identity, one that includes all the ethnic groups living here but which also contains something extra, something indefinably Kiwi. Plus, we are better at rugby than any European country!
I also gave a speech to a large dairy conference in Dunedin.

I reiterated the importance of the primary sector to the New Zealand economy. When conditions are good at the farm gate, this flows through into the small towns, into the provincial cities and ultimately into Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
National, with a number of farmers in it's caucus, understands how rural communities work and uses this understanding to inform its policies. Labour, on the other hand, has trouble seeing past the 100k sign on the outskirts of town.
Farmers face some challenges. I think the food miles debate has been something of a wake-up call for all of us.

It has shown us that if we don't have a credible agricultural climate change policy, then overseas consumers - whether they are sophisticated and discerning or whether they are simply misinformed - will impose one on us. And in the years ahead, overseas consumers are only going to become more concerned about where their food comes from and what has gone into making it.

Last year we put out the Bluegreens discussion document and had a very positive reaction from farmers. We are now developing policies in this area. But in doing so you can be assured that we will not put at risk the agricultural sector which is at the very heart of the New Zealand economy. There is no point risking the competitiveness of our key export earner in the short term, when we are confident that technology and innovation will address these issues in the long term.

Ends