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BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young New Zealanders are being particularly hard hit by this recession.

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.

For people starting out on in the workforce, a long period of unemployment can be really damaging.

So while unemployment remains high, it’s critical that we provide young New Zealanders with the opportunity to develop themselves. If we don’t, we risk diminishing the potential of an entire generation. And that’s something I won’t accept.

That’s why, at the National Party Annual Conference on Sunday, I launched our Youth Opportunities Package. This is a $152 million set of initiatives designed to create opportunities for young people in work, education, and training, and strengthen the ladder of opportunity. Get more information about the package here.

BOOSTING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

I had a few laughs with 94-year-old George Williams last Wednesday. George joined me to mark the start of the work on the new $47 million Kopu Bridge to the Coromandel.

In 1928 George was the first person to cross the existing Kopu Bridge when it was opened by the then Prime Minister. George got bored by all the speeches and pedalled across the bridge on his push-bike ahead of the official party.

After all these years George is still in fine form, and he turned the first sod with me to start construction on the new bridge.

Work on the Kopu Bridge is another example of how National is boosting infrastructure investment and fast-tracking critical roading projects to help the economy and create jobs. The project was brought forward from early 2011 thanks to our $500 million Jobs and Growth Plan infrastructure package announced in February.

I’m looking forward to opening the new bridge with George in three years’ time. I wonder if he’ll bring his push bike.

BUILDING THE CYCLEWAY

On a similar theme, it was a great pleasure to announce last week the first seven possible projects in the National Cycleway.

The overall vision for the Cycleway is to generate lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits for our communities through a network of world-class cycling experiences.

The Cycleway will create jobs in the short term through design, construction, and project management, and in the longer term through new businesses along the routes and downstream economic activity.

That’s one of the reasons I want construction to begin this summer on an initial set of routes. Get more details here.

RECOGNISING SUCCESS

I’m delighted that 72 recipients of the Principal and Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit have decided to take the opportunity to be re-designated as Knights and Dames.

Eighty-five New Zealanders are eligible to accept the title after the Queen approved the reinstatement of titles to the first two levels of the New Zealand Order of Merit in March.

Reinstating knighthoods is a celebration of success. I’m really pleased that 87 per cent of those eligible for a title thought so as well.

ON THE ROAD

On Friday I launched a new campaign for Tourism New Zealand – The Great Kiwi Invite – in partnership with Air New Zealand. The campaign aims to encourage friends and families of New Zealanders to visit New Zealand. Fifteen free trips to New Zealand are up for grabs. Find out how your friends and family overseas could win a free trip here.

It was great to catch up with so many people at National’s Annual Conference during the weekend. I’d like to thank those of you who travelled so far to be there and helped make the conference such a success. I’d also like to thank our outgoing president, Judy Kirk, for her great service to the party, and welcome Peter Goodfellow to the presidency.

This week I’m heading to Australia for the Pacific Islands Forum. The global economic crisis and its impact on our region will be high on the agenda.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Best wishes

John Key
Prime Minister
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