Supporting Our Rural Communities

I had a great time at Fieldays in Mystery Creek on Wednesday. Fieldays is one of the world's best agricultural events, and it was a good chance to catch up with farmers from all over New Zealand.

Rural communities are the backbone of our economy and National is working hard to support them. We are building competitiveness in our primary sector, encouraging innovation, enhancing biosecurity, and improving the public services and infrastructure that rural families rely on.

Check out my photos from the day here.

See a one-page summary of how we're supporting the primary sector here.

CHEERING ON THE ALL WHITES

I stayed up on Tuesday night to watch the All Whites play Slovakia. It was a late night, but worth staying up to see that excellent goal by Winston Reid. The team played their heart out and it was a great result.

I'm off to South Africa this weekend for their game against Italy. As Patron of the All Whites 2010 World Cup campaign, I'll be proud to cheer them on from inside the stadium. The whole country is right behind coach Ricki Herbert and the team.

I'll also meet business leaders while I'm in South Africa. Our two countries have a very strong relationship and I look forward to building on this.

FIXING THE FORESHORE AND SEABED ISSUE

As part of our confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party, we promised to review the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Our review is complete and this week we announced that we will repeal the Act. We have agreed on a way forward that is in the best interests of all New Zealanders.

We're making sure the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold. We're guaranteeing public access. And we're restoring iwi's ability to test their customary rights to the foreshore and seabed through the courts.

National wants to settle the foreshore and seabed issue once and for all, so it does not remain as a weeping sore that would have to be addressed by a future government.

See a one-page summary of our foreshore and seabed plans here.

HELPING OUR TOP ATHLETES

Sport really matters to New Zealanders. We want to see our top sportspeople succeeding internationally, and we are proud of them when they do.

Last week I announced the largest-ever boost to government funding for high performance sport. I spoke at the Millennium Institute in Auckland, and got to catch up with some of New Zealand's top athletes while I was there. I even got some fitness and training tips from Olympic gold medallist board sailor Tom Ashley.

The funding boost will help expand and develop world-class sporting facilities, including the Millennium Institute, which will become the National Training Centre for High Performance Sport. It will also make sure our best athletes get the support they need to reach their full potential on the world stage.

VOLUNTEERING AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Last week I launched the Rugby World Cup volunteer recruitment programme. Volunteers are an important part of any sporting event, and we're looking for more than 5000 people to help out next year.

Former All Black Michael Jones has agreed to be our Volunteer Ambassador. We're lucky to have him on board, and it was great to see him at the launch. I enjoyed throwing a ball around with him and Petone Rugby Club's under-8 team.

Next year we'll be counting on all New Zealanders to help make sure the World Cup is a success by being excellent hosts. Volunteering is one way to get involved in the biggest and most exciting sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted.

Michael and the Rugby World Cup team are on a nationwide volunteer recruitment road show to encourage New Zealanders to sign up. Find out more here.

FROM MY DIARY

It was good to get out and about in Tauranga with local MPs Simon Bridges and Tony Ryall yesterday (click for photos). I chatted to lots of locals and had a busy day, including opening the North Island Mussel Processors' factory.

We've been busy talking about Budget 2010 in Parliament again this week. To find out how the tax changes will affect you, visit our tax calculator at www.taxguide.govt.nz. You can also see my Budget video here.

Best wishes

John Key
Prime Minister

ENDS

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