National Successes

A few of the highlights from National’s first three years in government.

Three in every four earners pay income tax at no more than 17.5%.
National’s tax cuts are the biggest reform of the tax system in 25 years. As a result of our tax changes, around 2.6 million New Zealanders pay 17.5% tax or less. The lowest-income 43 per cent of households receive more in income support than they pay in income tax. The 1.3 million households with incomes under $110,000 a year collectively pay no net tax, their total income support payments match their combined income tax. We’ve improved our tax system across-the-board so that it encourages hard work and savings, rather than giving incentives to hide income or move overseas.  National is rewarding effort and helping families get ahead under a fairer tax system.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=34124

$1.4 billion for early childhood education – the most ever.
Giving all children the best possible start in life is important for National.  That’s why we’re investing more than ever before in early childhood education. In fact, National’s $1.4 billion investment in our children is 38 per cent, or $394 million more than Labour’s spending on ECE over there time in office.  We’re focused on increasing participation in communities where children are missing out, but would benefit the most.  We’re also lifting the number of qualified teachers in ECE centres and controlling spiralling costs to ensure that funding is targeted to those most in need.
For more information http://national.org.nz/onepager/ECE_Feb_2011.pdf

13,000 jobs created with the 90-day trial period.
According to research figures from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, National’s voluntary 90-day trial period for new employees has given 13,000 Kiwis the opportunity to prove themselves in a job in small to medium sized businesses.  We’ve now extended this to cover all businesses, helping even more Kiwis into work.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=33442.
You can read the NZIER report here.

Over 100,000 homes insulated.
Our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme is ensuring that more New Zealand homes are warmer and drier.  Government is subsiding one third of the cost of ceiling and under-floor insulation, up to $1300, as well as clean and efficient heating for homeowners with houses built before 2000.  We’ve already insulated almost 120,000 homes which means we’re more than halfway to our goal of 188,500 homes insulated under this programme.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=35931
You can also read about this on the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority’s website.

46% more P seized by police in 2010.
In 2010, New Zealand Police removed $30 million of methamphetamine, or P, from our streets.  This is a 46 per cent increase from the 20.8kg seized in 2009.  National has declared war on P, and we’re doing everything in our power to crack down on the precursor chemicals, break supply chains, and provide better treatment and support for P users.  In the first five months of 2011, an additional 24.6kg of P, has been removed from our streets.
For more information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=35083.

400 extra elective operations each week.
National pledged to increase the number of elective surgeries that New Zealanders get through the public health system.  We’re doing that, with 20,000 additional elective surgeries each year   Elective surgeries are those necessary surgeries that can be scheduled anytime because they do not require immediate attention.  In Budget 2011, National committed an additional $68 million to maintain at least 4000 extra elective surgeries each year.
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_better_healthcare.pdf

600 extra police by the end of this year. 300 in place already.
National is delivering additional police in areas where they are needed most.  Already, there are 300 extra officers on the beat in Counties-Manukau.  By the end of 2011, there will be a further 300 extra police throughout New Zealand.  We’re giving police more manpower, better tools, and tougher laws to back them up, because they do an important job keeping our homes and communities safer.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=34408.

After-tax average wage up 17%.
Based on Statistics New Zealand figures the after-tax average wage has increased 17 per cent since September 2008.  Over this same period, prices increased 10 per cent.  In the last year alone after-tax average wages increased 7.4 per cent and New Zealand employees are earning more per week on average than the same time last year.  Everyone’s circumstances are different, and we appreciate things remain challenging for many New Zealanders. But it’s encouraging to see that, on average, take-home wages continue to increase faster than prices.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=36242

Over $17b for Infrastructure – more schools, hospitals, roads, faster broadband.
Boosting the nation’s infrastructure is vital to unclog the arteries of growth, create jobs, and lift incomes.  That’s why we’re spending more than $17 billion over the next four years on better roads and rail networks, more school upgrades, warmer, healthier homes, and secure energy sources.  We’re tackling the infrastructure deficit and supporting thousands of jobs at the same time. 
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_infrastructure_for_growth.pdf
Or http://beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Infrastructure%20progress%202008-2011.pdf

$14b for health this year – the most ever.
National is committed to providing a public health service that you and your family can rely on.  We’re spending the most ever on health.  National has invested an additional $1.5 billion of new resources despite the difficult economic climate, to ensure we have a strong, enduring, and efficient public health service.
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_better_healthcare.pdf

500 more doctors, 1000 more nurses.
National is committed to growing our health workforce.  Compared to 2008 there are 500 extra doctors and 1000 extra nurses in our public health system.  We’re also delivering on our promise to increase the number of places at medical school by 200 over five years.  This year an extra 120 places are available.
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_better_healthcare.pdf

1800 doctors, nurses & midwives in our voluntary bonding scheme.
National’s voluntary bonding scheme offers student loan write-offs or cash incentives to graduate doctors, nurses, and midwives who choose to take up a career in a hard-to-staff area or speciality.  We’ve had 1424 nurses, 220 doctors, and 179 midwives sign up to be part of the voluntary bonding scheme which is great news for our health workforce.
For more information http://beehive.govt.nz/release/bonding-scheme-takes-429-more-health-grads.

Almost 90% of under-2s fully immunised – the most ever.
In 2007, 27 per cent of all under-2s were missing out on vital immunisations.  National said this wasn’t good enough, and that’s why we made increasing immunisations for under-2s one of our six health targets.  We’ve increased the rate of child immunisations by almost 20 per cent since 2007.  Now 89 per cent of all children are fully immunised by their second birthday.  For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=35132

54,000 extra WellChild visits for 18,000 new mums.
National is working hard to ensure the youngest New Zealanders get the best possible start to life.  Our Budget 2011 maternity services package is part of National’s special focus on children.  WellChild visits are a crucial part of our early intervention programme for 18,000 new mums.  Under National, new mums in need will now receive five WellChild visits during pregnancy and in the first two months of their baby’s life.  This is an increase of three visits per family under National. Our Budget 2011 maternity services package is part of National’s special focus on children.
For more information http://national.org.nz/onepager/ImprovingMaternityServices.pdf
Or http://national.org.nz/budget2011/A_special_focus_on_children.pdf

4 weeks maximum wait for cancer radiation treatment.
Under National, patients who are ready for cancer radiation treatment are receiving it within four weeks.  Before National came to office some patients were waiting up to 15 weeks to start their treatment, others had to go to Australia.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=36094 
Or http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_better_healthcare.pdf

Almost 90% of emergency patients seen within 6 hours.
We know how important it is that you can rely on our hospital emergency departments around New Zealand.  When National came to office, our emergency departments were in gridlock, with some patients having to wait in corridors and on temporary trolley beds for endless hours, before being seen.  National has made great progress in reversing this, and now 89% of all emergency patients are admitted, treated or discharged within 6 hours, ensuring that if you or your family need emergency medical attention, you will get it.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=36094
Or http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_better_healthcare.pdf

4 million extra prescriptions.
Since National came to office, we’ve provided an extra 180,000 people each year with around 4 million subsidised prescriptions, including some previously unfunded treatments, such as the breast cancer drug Herceptin.  In Budget 2011, National committed an additional $20 million to help an estimated 32,000 additional patients.  Over the three years in office, we’re spending $180 million on funding and subsidising medicines.
For more information http://beehive.govt.nz/release/patients-benefit-more-medicines-funding

$12b for education this year – the most ever.
National is committed to giving every child the opportunity to succeed – from early childhood education through their schooling, and on to vocational or tertiary training and education.  We’ve increased funding by more than $4 billion since 2009, despite the difficult economic climate.  And we’re targeting this funding to increase participation, lift student achievement, and ensure that young people are engaged in areas that will lead to worthwhile qualifications.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=36003
Or http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_skills_and_knowledge.pdf

$7600 invested per child in early childhood education.
The Government spends on average more on each child enrolled in ECE than at any other level of their education in New Zealand.  We currently spend about $5500 on each primary student and $6700 on each tertiary student.  This is compared to an average of $7600 per ECE child.  Giving all children the right start to life is important for National.  That’s why we’re investing more than ever before in early childhood education.  We’re focused on increasing participation in communities where children are missing out, but would benefit the most. 
For more information http://national.org.nz/onepager/ECE_Feb_2011.pdf

8 new Trades Academies, 4 more in 2012, another 5 to follow.
Trades Academies offer young New Zealanders the opportunity to learn practical skills while remaining at school.  The academies, based throughout New Zealand, are partnerships between schools, tertiary institutions, and employers.  They enable students to earn both NCEA credits while gaining practical skills in the workplace and are a great way to keep our young people engaged in education for longer.
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_skills_and_knowledge.pdf.

11,600 more core tertiary education places.
For too long, New Zealand’s tertiary education system was not performing at the standard New Zealanders expected.  National is turning this around.  We’re making tertiary education more accountable, and we’re demanding better value for every dollar spent.  As a result, there are now more than 180,600 total places at universities and polytechnics in 2011.
For more information http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Building_skills_and_knowledge.pdf

$5000 for employers taking on a young person struggling to find work.
National’s Budget 2011 youth employment package is helping young people into work.  We’re building on the successful Job Ops and Community Max programmes with a $5000 subsidy to each employer who takes on a young person under the Skills for Growth and Job Ops with Training programmes.  We want to give young people a chance to work, while learning the skills or training needed for a career.
For more information http://national.org.nz/onepager/youthemploymentpackage.pdf

Twice as many places for drug & alcohol rehabilitation.
National is providing 1000 places in drug and alcohol rehabilitation for New Zealand prisoners, 500 more than under the previous government.  Drugs and alcohol are major drivers of crime in New Zealand.  Two-thirds of those who enter prison in New Zealand, do so with drug and alcohol problems.  Tackling drug and alcohol problems is a priority for National.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=30472

15% drop in street-racing offences.
Boy racers are a serious issue on New Zealand streets.  Since National gave the Police more powers to confiscate licences and take away the vehicles of those acting illegally, we’ve seen a drop in street racing call-outs from a peak of 1000 in February 2010, to less than 700 in April this year.  Seventeen drivers have two convictions for illegal street racing offences - a third conviction for any of these drivers is likely to result in a destruction order.

4500 places for building-related training in Canterbury.
Rebuilding Canterbury is one of the most important things this Government will do over the next few years.  We’re investing in 4500 places in building-related training now to ensure our future workforce can meet expected demand in rebuilding Christchurch.  We want to ensure the people of Canterbury have the chance to build their skills, so they can contribute to the rebuilding of their city.
For more information http://beehive.govt.nz/release/budget-2011-canterbury-trades-training-boost
Or http://national.org.nz/budget2011/Rebuilding_Canterbury.pdf

Super up $166 a fortnight for married couples since 2008.
National is looking after older New Zealanders in their retirement.  All rates of New Zealand Superannuation increased 19 per cent in the three years between 1 April 2008 and 1 April 2011 - almost twice the rate of inflation over the same period.  This means, in April 2008 a married couple were receiving $879.60 a fortnight; on 1 April 2011 the same married couple now receive $1045.92 a fortnight.  Older New Zealanders are benefitting from National’s across-the-board tax cuts, annual inflation adjustments, compensation for the GST increase, and because the after-tax average wage has risen significantly. We’re giving New Zealanders some certainty when they retire.
For more information http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=35896

All rates of New Zealand Superannuation – 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2011.  [MSD figures.]