12 March, 2010
This week I talk about a number of the things we're doing to boost science and innovation in New Zealand, improvements to tertiary education, and the 200th new police officer for Auckland.
Read full newsletter >>8 March, 2010
In this issue I talk about the government's new infrastructure plan, the tax package that will be at the centre of the 2010 Budget, the latest set of Crown accounts and more.
Read full newsletter >>26 February, 2010
In this issue of Key Notes I talk about improving our tax system, changes underway to ACC, improvements to the volunteer bonding scheme for graduate doctors, nurses and midwives, lifting achievement in our schools - and provide links to several large sets of photographs from my visit last week to Hawke's Bay. Enjoy!
Read full newsletter >>12 February, 2010
OUR PRIORITIES FOR 2010
Read full newsletter >>3 February, 2010
In this issue, I talk about the new National Standards policy - what it means and what we'll be doing to implement it.
29 January, 2010
In this issue I outline the general trends and challenges facing the economy and talk a bit about what the Government will be doing to confront those challenges in 2010,
Read full newsletter >>22 January, 2010
In this issue I talk about Prince William's visit, the "three strikes" Bill, what it will take to build a world-class tax system, a new initiative for the tourism industry and some of what I'll be doing in the next few days.
Read full newsletter >>18 December, 2009
In this issue, I talk about the year just ending; the half-yearly fiscal update; gains in law and order, health and education; my Copenhagen visit; lifting achievement in schools; improving our highways; reining in electricity prices; and celebrating Waitangi Day.
Read full newsletter >>18 December, 2009
As we head into the summer break, it feels like it's been a long year - and a hard one for many families and businesses.
Read full newsletter >>4 December, 2009
This week I discuss our new laws to tackle boy racers. I opened SmartGate at Auckland Airport. And I report on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. I also update readers on school broadband, the changes to Auckland's governance, and our plans to improve healthcare.
Read full newsletter >>26 November, 2009
In this issue, I talk about the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update, monetary policy and the dollar, the infrastructure stimulus package, trade guarantees to support exporters and how we're doing as we come out of the financial crisis.
Read full newsletter >>19 November, 2009
This week, the National-led Government marks its first year in office. In this issue of Key Notes, I look back on our achievements so far and look forward to the hard work ahead.
Read full newsletter >>6 November, 2009
This week I look for whales, announce a funding boost for tourism, update you on the latest actions we're taking on violent crime, and report on my visit to Asia.
Read full newsletter >>3 November, 2009
In this issue I discuss the uneven advance toward economic recovery and the centrality of export markets to making headway.
Read full newsletter >>23 October, 2009
I had fun this morning meeting the children at Glen Taylor School in Auckland with Education Minister Anne Tolley. We were there to launch National Education Standards in reading, writing, and maths.
Read full newsletter >>9 October, 2009
In this issue I talk about our new action plan to tackle P, and I report on my visit to Samoa after the tsunami, and my trip to New York for the 64th United Nations General Assembly.
Read full newsletter >>25 September, 2009
We're having a very busy week in New York.
Read full newsletter >>24 September, 2009
This week I've been encouraged by signs the economy is stabilising.
Read full newsletter >>28 August, 2009
Many parents get their children involved in school holiday activities. Things like sports training, lifesaving courses, kapa haka programmes, or karate workshops.
Read full newsletter >>27 August, 2009
This week I outlined the future of the Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
Read full newsletter >>14 August, 2009
Often, politics can seem like a tug-of-war. And once in a while it actually is.
Read full newsletter >>4 August, 2009
18- to 24-year-olds are the fastest growing age group on the Unemployment Benefit. They represent about a third of all those who receive it. The number who want to work but can't get a job has more than quadrupled in the past year from 4000 to 17,000.
Read full newsletter >>30 July, 2009
Welcome to the first instalment of my monthly newsletter. The aim is to inform you - New Zealand businesses and individuals - about the Government's economic plans and get your comments and feedback. Please forward it on to others who might be interested. If you have received this from a friend and want to receive it directly you can subscribe at the bottom of the newsletter. If you received it directly and don't want to continue receiving it, you can also unsubscribe there.
Read full newsletter >>17 July, 2009
We had a busy but successful trip to Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands last week - and our delegation had some very useful meetings with government and business leaders in the region.
Read full newsletter >>3 July, 2009
I had a great time yesterday visiting the Tamaki Transformation Programme in Auckland and meeting pupils from Pt England School.
Read full newsletter >>19 June, 2009
It was great to see so many school rugby captains - girls and boys - from secondary schools around Wellington at the parliamentary reception for the French team and the All Blacks on Monday.
Read full newsletter >>9 June, 2009
The 2009 Budget gets New Zealand on the road to recovery. It puts in place policies to ensure our economy emerges strongly from the recession and provides a platform for strong growth, higher incomes, and quality public services.
22 May, 2009
In recent years, many new mothers have told me how much difficulty they've had getting quality care before and after giving birth. Some feel they have been pressured into leaving hospital with their babies before they are ready. Others have not got the support they felt they needed.
Read full newsletter >>8 May, 2009
I know that things are hard for many of you at the moment. You may be worried about your job or the jobs of your friends or loved ones.
Read full newsletter >>23 April, 2009
Today I announced that the Government is extending the Job Support Scheme to include medium-sized businesses with 50 to 100 workers.
Read full newsletter >>