- By Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister-elect and MP for Botany
As New Zealand waits on the count of half a million special votes cast in the general election, there’s an opportunity to reflect on the result.
Although the special votes may mean the final numbers change a little, it’s clear that New Zealand has overwhelmingly voted for change and Kiwis have given National a mandate to take New Zealand forward.
I am immensely grateful for the support and want to thank everyone who voted for change and put their trust in National.
I am proud of the positive campaign that National ran. National listened to the families that need interest rates to come down so that they can afford their mortgages.
We listened to the people who desperately need tax relief so they can pay their grocery bills and all the other extras at the end of the week.
We listened to the patients who are waiting 11 hours in the emergency department and understand that the front line needs more support.
And we listened to the retailers who want to know that the justice system is putting victims’ interests ahead of offenders’ interests.
These are the things that Kiwis want right now, and the government I lead will help realise them.
For all these concerns, National put forward common-sense, practical policies and, just as National listened to New Zealanders, New Zealanders listened to National.
As soon as the new government is in place, the real work will begin. Turning the country around will be a big job, and it won’t happen overnight.
But we must get it right because New Zealand has the potential to be so much better than it is right now.
National is going to tackle our challenges and focus on the priorities we talked about during the election campaign, because we know those are your priorities too.
I also talked on the campaign about New Zealand finding its mojo again and getting back its confidence to compete in the world.
I was reminded on the campaign trail that our great country is full of talent and we can achieve so much more.
I was also reminded that the things that unite us are greater than those that divide us.
Regardless of ethnicity and religion, and whether your family arrived in New Zealand generations ago or are new migrants, we all share an interest in living in a safe and stable country that celebrates fairness and wants the best for every Kiwi.
My pledge is that a National-led government will deliver for every New Zealander and I can’t wait to get started.
