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

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