Campaign blog: 21 October

Yesterday started with me in Auckland announcing our plans to boost police numbers on the frontline, with a priority boost for the Counties-Manukau police district.

Our plan will see a National government aim for a ratio of one officer to every 500 people by the end of 2011 across the country. And we aim for the increase to be seen where it matters - on the streets.

That is why we want the people of South Auckland to benefit, and that's why we will commit 300 of the new officers we will train to South Auckland.

After that, I travelled to Henderson where our colourful campaign bus was parked up for me to officially launch. The bus will travel the country, beginning in Northland and ending up in Invercargill. [Watch on YouTube or on my blog}

On the campaign trail you get to meet New Zealanders from all walks of life, all with their own story to tell, but you must be in campaign mode when you end up talking instead to Archie the Dalmation about the plans of a future National government.

We rode on the bus through my electorate, stopping at a number of places along the way to meet people.

One of the tough things about being the party leader is that you don't get to spend enough time in your own electorate, so it was nice to be travelling through the beautiful countryside of Helensville stopping to meet wellwishers and spread our message.

Yesterday afternoon I went on to a full-to-overflowing meeting at the Orakei community centre where amongst other things I talked about our commitments to superannuitants, including our promise to keep increasing superannuation payments.

It was nice spend a few moments at that meeting catching up briefly with Dame Thea Muldoon.

This morning I am in Hamilton briefly, before travelling back to Auckland for more campaigning.

John Key

www.johnkey.co.nz

www.national.org.nz

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