Caucus will recommend to the party’s board that it continue to represent the interests of well over 90,000 voters who supported it last Saturday.

We are going to carry on. The looming economic circumstances and the make up of the new government mean that our presence is needed more than ever.

No one in the caucus is walking away. There is too much at stake over the next three years for us to turn our backs on tens of thousands of supporters.

We will watch developments very closely and will not hesitate to speak out when the interests of ordinary people are being ignored or betrayed.

We will also remember every promise that has been made and hold to account those who made them.

Thank you to those who have written kind comments here on this site or who have stopped us in the street to have a word. New Zealand First is a great party because of the people who support us. We have always tried to do right by you and we will continue with that philosophy. As I said on Saturday, it’s not over yet.

It has been difficult for New Zealand First to receive a fair hearing this election campaign. But against that backdrop, our MPs and our supporters have fought a great campaign. We’ve risen above the endless allegations and the smear tactics to talk about the issues that are important to New Zealand right now.

For over 15 years New Zealand First has been in Parliament talking about the issues that matter and delivering on our promises. We have been consistently making a difference to the way this country is governed. We’ve always taken our own road, armed with nothing but our vision. We have that vision still and we know we can make a difference over the next three years, particularly as New Zealand passes through some turbulent economic times in the immediate future. We have the policies that will protect and save your New Zealand.

New Zealand First will make sure our businesses and workers are given a fair go. We’ll re-write the Reserve Bank Act, we’ll lower GST to 10% and we’ll introduce a tax-free threshold on the first $100 earned each week.

New Zealand First will create safer communities. We’ll ban gangs, we’ll target at-risk children at primary school age and we’ll involve more women and community groups in bettering our communities.

New Zealand First will provide security for our future. We’ll increase NZ Super to 68% of the net average wage for a married couple, we’ll expand on the SuperGold Card entitlements and we’ll make sure New Zealand’s key strategic assets are kept secure and available for New Zealanders to invest in.

We believe fair-minded New Zealanders have heard us and they will return New Zealand First to Parliament tomorrow. They know that New Zealand First delivers on its promises. They know what New Zealand First can do for this country over the next three years.

Thank you to all those who have supported us and who will vote for us tomorrow. Make sure your neighbours and friends vote for us too. Every vote counts.

PARTY VOTE NEW ZEALAND FIRST.

Armed Offenders Squad searching Upper Hutt for fugitive

We want to assure everyone that, despite what the National and Act parties would have you believe neither Ron nor myself are fugitives from the law! The AOS won’t be looking for us unless it’s to shake our hand and thank us for what NZ First has done to bolster the Police force. We have no weapons. The only things Ron and I are armed with as we go about the homes, businesses and streets of the Rimutaka electorate are our wits, our handshakes and our promise that we will again deliver on NZ First policies if elected back to Parliament.

News release 4 November 2008

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS FOR RSA VICTIM

Sole survivor of the 2001 RSA killings, Susan Couch, has made a statement in regards to the recent controversy surrounding NZ First’s donation to the Sue Couch Victims Trust.

The Auckland part time working mother who was left for dead following the tragic events in 2001 says she is saddened by the arguments raised which question the Trust’s integrity.

Sue Couch says: “The donations will be used to benefit victims of violent crime placed in a similar situation to my own.”

Susan Couch was working at the Panmure RSA when she was attacked, beaten and left for dead by convicted murderer William Bell in December 2001. She suffered severe injuries but was not covered by any ACC lump sum compensation. Couch says the lack of Government support to victims of violent crime is a serious issue.

“My financial plight is real, as are those of other victims of serious crime. I appreciate the donation by Winston Peters and all others who have donated money to this very important Trust,” she says.

The Trust is currently in the process of being registered. Once it has been established Sue Couch will be listed as patron.

Couch also disapproves the negative commentary surrounding the involvement of her lawyers, Brian Henry and Dennis Gates to the Trust and to her case. “They have spent many hours working on my legal case, fighting to help me receive an account from the Government Department who failed to protect both myself and the public by releasing Bell on parole. They have done this work without being paid, for which I am truly grateful.”

Couch says the trustees are generously working to help her and others who are living the same life sentence as social welfare beneficiaries.

“Whatever people think of Winston, I am very grateful for the donation by NZ First to the Trust. The money will be put to good use”

ENDS