National Leader Simon Bridges has today launched the final ‘Have Your Say’ campaign, calling for young New Zealanders to
put forward their ideas for the future of New Zealand, as part of National’s 2020 election policy development process.
“Today’s young New Zealanders are tomorrow’s leaders and it’s important we get their feedback and allow them to put
forward their ideas about the future of our country and about how we ensure it remains a place where they want to live,
work and raise their families.
“We want National to embody the type of New Zealand that our future doctors, teachers, tradespeople and farmers want to
see, and we want to ensure they see the opportunities for them and their families here.
“National launched our ‘Have Your Say’ listening campaigns last year so we could hear from New Zealanders about what
matters to them and about their ideas for their future. This is the first step in our policy development process – we
are doing the work now so that should we earn the right to govern in 2020, we are ready to hit the ground running.
“It’s clear that the Government didn’t do the work in Opposition and that’s why it’s had to launch more than 200 reviews
and working groups and why its flagship policies are descending into farce and taking New Zealand backwards.
“It’s spending $2.8 billion on a fees free scheme which has attracted no extra students.
“The number of 18-24 year olds receiving a benefit has increased by 10 per cent when it’s this age group which needs the
most encouragement to get into work now to avoid a lifetime of benefit dependency.
“It’s also set to break its promise to build 100,000 affordable houses as KiwiBuild descends into farce while it’s
making it harder for private sector developers to build by restricting the foreign investment needed to fund housing
developments.
“We won’t make the same mistake. We will do the work now to give New Zealanders the choice in 2020 of a government in
waiting that has done the work, has the fresh ideas and is ready to combat some of New Zealand’s most significant
challenges.
“Our final ‘Have Your Say’ campaign is about ensuring young Kiwis are listened to. We want to make sure our policies
reflect their input, are meaningful and will improve lives.”