Address by National Party President Judy Kirk
22 May 2004
National Party Southern Regional Conference
Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Queenstown
Madam Chair, Dr Don Brash, Members of Parliament, Board of Directors, General Manager Steven Joyce, Electorate Chairs,
members of the National Party.
I am delighted to speak to you in this stunningly beautiful part of New Zealand, a region that historically has been so
strong for the National Party. I am extremely optimistic about our prospects in the Southern Region at the next
election:
* First, Invercargill, a seat which was held by us for all but three years between 1946 and 1993, is heading our
way again. Yours was a magnificent effort in 2002 when the tide was out but with the tide coming in, I am sure that the
seat of Ralph Hannan and Norman Jones will once again be National.
* Secondly, Otago must be won. Apart from 1972 to 1975, and 2002 to 2005, this has always been National territory.
I am sure there is going to be a highly competitive selection, and the winning candidate will go on to represent this
seat for many years.
* Aoraki offers great hope. Bear in mind that we held Timaru for eight years and held the surrounding territory
for many years. There is no reason why this seat should be Labour. Again, there will be a vigorous competition for the
selection and I believe the winning candidate has every chance of becoming MP for Aoraki.
* We must not forget Dunedin. Dunedin has provided slender pickings for the National Party over the years but we
have been very lucky to have an outstanding list MP, Katherine Rich, based in the city.
There is about 10-12 more electorate seats that I believe we have a very good chance of winning in 2005. Of those, 2
(and possibly 3) are in your region. Let's make sure we do it.
As you well know, however, while winning an electorate is important, winning the Party vote is of supreme importance.
While we want to, and should win, Invercargill, Otago and Aoraki, we must win the Party vote.
So the first message I want to leave with you today is about the importance of the Party vote. The Party vote will
determine the make-up of the next Parliament. We need our MPs to be in Government, not in Opposition, and that only
happens if we win the Party vote.
It is the Party vote we must win.
It is the Party vote that is important
It is the Party vote that we must vigorously campaign for.
The second message I want to leave with you is that your Party organisation is doing very well.
When I became President, I had a number of aims:
* Help bring about change to the constitutional structure of the Party to make it a more effective political
machine.
* Change the culture within the Party.
* Establish a Candidates' College so that potential candidates are better prepared for the rigours of politics.
* To bring the organisational and parliamentary wings closer together and involve the organisation in policy
formulation.
* To recognise the value of the regional and electorate chairs and to strengthen the organisation.
Party Structure
The first of the objectives was achieved with the Constitutional Conference on 12th April 2003 which greatly improved
the structure of the Party. The governance and management of the organisation is now clearly defined. This last year has
involved bedding down the many changes.
Importantly, the new Board is up and running. It is working far more effectively than the former National Management
Board. Rather than being bogged down with management detail, the new Board is able to adapt a more strategic approach to
the operations of the Party.
I acknowledge the members of the Board who have had to make some tough decisions. They are an effective team, and it is
a privilege to chair a group of such dedicated and talented people. We have established an audit committee, ably chaired
by Roger Bridge and assisted by Alan Towers and CNI's David Bennett. They keep a keen eye on the Party finances and
indeed at this year's Annual Conference for the first time, the Board will report to delegates on such matters. We are
in good shape.
There is a new role of the regions, which are performing very well. For example, in this region your membership this
year has already passed the total of last year. Some electorates that have struggled for years have met all their
obligations. This is outstanding!
It has not been an easy transition. Revolutionary changes take time to be accepted and there are still issues to work
through. By and large, however, the new structure is working very well. The regional chairs play an important role. I
pay tribute to your regional chair, Kate Hazlett for her inspirational leadership. She is a very effective regional
chair.
The Party staffing structure has been revamped. Steven Joyce is to be congratulated on his outstanding achievements.
Steven is now able to concentrate on the big picture and is supported by our new Operations Manager, Megan Campbell. The
office is becoming far more responsive to the needs of electorates and the regions. The support, advice and friendship
from Steven is invaluable and appreciated. The pace has been fast, we have shared some hard and difficult times but had
fun along the way.
Three full-time field officers have been appointed. In this region you have Lois Scott who has recently joined us and
brings professionalism and a 'can do' attitude to the role. We have a small and dedicated team of nine across the
country who are coming together as a team to benefit the whole Party.
The electorates are responding to their greater responsibilities, focussing on membership, fundraising and candidate
selection, lifting the profile of the national brand at the grass roots.
The importance of electorates was highlighted by the recent meeting at Taupo of the electorate chairs where there was a
very good attendance. We talked about campaigning, fundraising, the candidates' selection process, and Kick Start (our
new direct marketing membership initiative) which is having results beyond all expectations and policy development.
The Kick Start programme has benefited the Party. You have five electorates who picked up this initiative. Your
membership has increased by 90% on last year. The membership in some electorates is still weak, and there is still more
to do at the grassroots level.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the electorate chairs. You have a most important role and I thank you all for
your work. All volunteers who are motivated by what National stands for and wanting a National-led government.
The Party's Culture and Leadership
My second aim was to change the culture of the organisation. We all must work as one team, back ourselves and each
other. Everyone must row, if the boat is to go. Unity and discipline are essential if we are to be successful.
We are a united team led by Dr Don Brash. Our leader is a skilled communicator. He is able to articulate a clear and
precise message. As one political commentator noted:
"Don Brash has struck a cord with many, now everybody knows his name. He has brought an elegant, business savvy into
New Zealand politics".
Don Brash is decisive, a strong leader, honest and caring. He has a keen sense of humour. He has a vision for New
Zealand's future.
The new Candidates' College
The Candidates' College was launched in Parliament last November. I invited Sir George Chapman, to open the College at
the function which some of you attended. It has met for training days in Auckland and Wellington, and another day is
planned for 8 July before the annual conference. Sixty four potential candidates have attended the College. I hope there
will be a contest in every open electorate this year. Competition is the lifeblood of the Party. At the moment, I cannot
think of one major selection which will not be contested by a number of people, any one of whom would be a good
candidate. To see this new initiative in action is very exciting.
Strong and well-prepared candidates are important in our plan. We could be looking at the biggest intake for many years.
I am very grateful to Don, the Caucus, previous leaders and MPs for their support and help with the college. It has been
a real highlight for me, an idea I brought forward, now a reality.
This weekend you will elect your list ranking representatives to sit on this very important committee. I want to bring
this committee together following the Annual Conference. The strategy of how we present our list for the forthcoming
election is crucial.
Policy
The policy processes are starting to work well. The Policy Consultation Committee meets monthly. The Chair, Chris
Finlayson is now attending the Caucus Policy Committee. In addition there have been a number of excellent pieces of work
- I refer in particular to Katherine Rich's paper on Welfare. In addition, Policy Advisory Groups are being established.
The Board recently approved the Classic Liberal Advisory Group, and Asian Policy Advisory Group. Bernadine Pool in LNI
is working to develop a group which addresses the needs and concerns of our citizens over sixty years of age. We are
also working on a pacific island group. Just this week a Primary Sector group is being organised to replace the old
Agpol groups.
So generally overall:
* We have made great strides in the last twelve months.
* There has been a sea change in the way we are viewed; we are now seen as a major political party with a credible
claim to Government in 2005.
* Membership this year has already exceeded the entire figure we achieved last year.
* Campaign planning is under way.
* We have achieved huge steps forward, we must be ready for any event. We are preparing relentlessly. I am pleased
to see the positive change, not just for the Leader and the MPs, but particularly for you the loyal delegates and
observers who have stayed with the Party through the tough times and are now starting to see the promise of the good
times.
As I said at last year's regional conferences, all the changes needing to be made would not be achieved in the first
month or in the first three month or even the first six months. But I said we had to make a start. All delegates,
observers and Party members took that on board, knuckled down and the results are obvious for all to see. We have made
greater progress in the last 12 months than one could have believed possible.
There is still a lot to do. The polls look good, but we must not be complacent. It will be a tough competition. The
foundations are in place, they are firm and strong, the building programme well planned. Don Brash and the team are
ready for the battle ahead and a win in 2005.
The future
The next election will substantially influence the sort of nation New Zealand becomes. National's policies will build a
better future for all New Zealanders. At the LNI conference our leader spoke about a woman he met at Hawke's Bay
Airport. She had just returned home after visiting her three children all of whom now reside in Australia. She asked him
to bring her children home. I look forward to being with Prime Minister Don Brash the day he meets that person again so
that he can give her the many reasons why her children could be on the next flight home.
By then:
* We will have a government which will govern in the interests of all New Zealanders, not just a few;
* We will have a strong and growing economy;
* We will have first class education and healthcare systems;
* We will live in safe communities; and
* All New Zealanders will have equal opportunity.
Delegates and Observers, thank you for all you do for our great Party. I am always mindful of your contribution. I am
very proud to be the 16th President of the National Party.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be an enjoyable weekend in a great part of New Zealand. In the months ahead, as
you work in your electorates and as you promote the National Party brand, everything you do and say must have one
objective in mind. We must win the Party vote.
Ends