Focused on what matters - Northland MP Mike Sabin

 

New Zealanders have been through some incredibly challenging years recently and a new normal has emerged in terms of the global economic picture, likewise the domestic one. What is clear is that New Zealanders want economic stability and to know where the government is in terms of its management of the economy, now more than ever. They also want a government that stays to its track and works together with New Zealanders to build a stronger economy.

By staying focused on what really matters the National-led government has led the country from recession to sustained growth. The measure of economic growth – known as gross domestic product, or GDP – in-creased by 3.8 per cent in the year to the end of March, showing we are the third fastest growing developed economy in the world. Our 3.8 per cent annual growth compares with 3.5 per cent in Australia, 2 per cent in the United States, and 0.9 per cent in the Euro area. This is the latest in a run of encouraging economic indicators, including higher levels of business and consumer confidence.

You as Northlanders deserve a mighty pat on the back for your part in this with Northland’s economy showing strong growth in the last six quarters, and now emerging as the fastest and strongest growing region in the country, with year-on-year growth of 7.4 per cent (twice the nation’s growth rate) and demonstrating growth is now bedded in, with great prospects ahead for business and job growth. Most people do not measure their economic prospects in terms of GDP, they measure it in terms of more jobs and higher incomes. In the past year alone, 84,000 more jobs were created, and the budget last month forecast an additional 170,000 new jobs by mid-2018. In Northland unemployment is the lowest it has been in the past five years and more people are moving off welfare and into work than we have seen for a long time.

If we stick with the government’s programme, the average full-time wage is expected to rise by $7,600 to $62,300 over the next four years. This follows a $3000 increase in the average wage over the past three years.

The cost of living has risen by just 1.5 per cent a year. In 2008 it was rising by more than 5 per cent a year, when the cost of living was out of control. Floating mortgage interest rates are a bit over 6 per cent today. In 2008 they reached almost 11 per cent.

The hard work of this government and New Zealanders is paying off both nationally and across Northland. Our challenge is to ensure this growth continues long-term, because that’s the best way to deliver more jobs and higher in-comes for New Zealanders. „ www.mikesabin.co.nz

„[Authorised by Mike Sabin, 116A Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.]

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