My personal highlights of the year for you
As 2015 draws to a close, I thought I’d update you on some of my personal highlights from this year. It’s been another
busy year:
• We achieved our target of getting the Government’s books back into surplus.
• Our free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for children aged under 13 and HomeStart programme to help first-home
buyers came into effect.
• We’re doing more to help children living in hardship, including increasing benefit rates for families with
children by $25 a week – the first real increase in more than 40 years.
• On a personal note, I was incredibly privileged to visit Gallipoli for the commemorations of the 100th
anniversary of the ANZAC troops landing during World War I – a very moving and poignant moment.
• Record numbers of tourists are visiting New Zealand and spending more than ever before – around $9.4 billion a
year.
• Our employment rate is high and wages are rising considerably faster than inflation.
• We signed the Korean Free Trade Agreement and successfully concluded negotiations for the Trans Pacific
Partnership – New Zealand’s biggest ever free trade deal – worth around $2.7 billion to our economy by 2030.
Next year will be just as busy as we continue to deliver initiatives to build a stronger, more prosperous country that
supports more jobs and higher incomes.
We’re focused, energised, and full of ideas to keep New Zealand moving ahead.
Our economy is resilient and growing – most economists are predicting a growth rate of 2.5 to 3 per cent next year and
continued strong growth in subsequent years.
I hope you enjoy spending time with your family and friends over the summer break – I’m very much looking forward to
having a short break and spending some time with Bronagh and the kids before returning for another busy year next year.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Kind regards
Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister