John --

Every Kiwi deserves to get ahead and have access to high quality public services, like better healthcare, higher education standards and effective policies that will restore law and order.

But that can’t happen without a strong economy, and this morning New Zealand officially entered recession.

It marks six straight months of decline for the New Zealand economy.

Labour will make excuses about this being a problem imported from overseas. But the data does not lie: New Zealand is now in worse shape than the countries we compare ourselves with.

Australia, Canada and the US have all faced similar global challenges, but none face the toxic economic predicament we now find ourselves in – with sky-high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates, a current-account blow-out and now a shrinking economy.

It is only through a strong economy that we can bring down the cost of living, unleash the economy to  raise incomes for all and pay for the public services Kiwis need and deserve.  

National has a plan to fix the economy. We will stop wasteful government spending, give you tax relief, and deliver the skills, infrastructure and innovation New Zealand needs to thrive.

Now, more than ever before, New Zealand needs sound economic management to get through these difficult times.

That’s what National will bring.

Thank you.

Christopher.